Journal of Organic & Inorganic Chemistry

Microplastics: an emerging threat to global oceans

2^nd Edition of EuroSciCon Conference on Chemistry
February 19-20, 2019 | Prague, Czech Republic

Anthony L Andrady

North Carolina State University, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Org Inorg Chem

DOI: 10.21767/2472-1123-C1-021

Abstract

Microplastics [MPs] include microbeads, fibers and fragments of plastics that are <5 mm in size. Mostly they are produced by solar UV-facilitated weathering of plastic litter in the marine environment. MPs are now ubiquitous in bodies of water worldwide. MPs are ingested by a wide range of marine organisms. Over 185 species of birds, 64 species of marine mammals and numerous plankton species are reported to ingest MPs. At some locations as much as 77% of fish sampled had MPs in their gut. Given the high plastic/water distribution coefficient, MPs tend to sorb and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in sea water effectively. MPs derived from plastic products contain additives such as plasticizers and flame retardants (that include endocrine disruptors), used during manufacture. Ingestion thus provides a credible pathway for delivery of a variety of toxic chemicals into ingesting organisms. Weathering of plastic debris produces nanoplastics [NPs] or microparticles

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