Microplastics are small plastic fragments less than five millimeters in size. They are now found in many places, including polar regions and human bodies. These particles come from the breakdown of items such as bags, bottles, and textiles. They remain in the environment for decades and may affect human health and coastal ecosystems. Studies estimate that people ingest tens of thousands of microplastic particles each year. Aquatic environments also face lower water quality and changes in food webs due to microplastics.
In Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, researchers from the University of Rhode Island found that the top two inches of the bay floor contain over 1,000 tons of microplastics. Scientists Sarah Davis and Victoria Fulfer are studying where these particles collect and how they move in the bay’s waters and sediments. Their research provides detailed information about how microplastics travel from land to sea in this area…