Researchers even found textile fibres in very remote lakes with limited human presence.
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Articles on Microplastics
Displaying 21 - 40 of 119 articles
Microplastic pollution in lakes could affect the food web, all the way to people fishing and harvesting mussels, as well as sources of drinking water.
Some of the world’s most threatened birds are exposed to plastic pollution – even far out to sea.
Humans rely on the ocean for food, jobs and other resources, but these systems are being stressed to the brink.
Making less plastic and reusing what exists should be the priority.
As a sustainability researcher, I know how quickly we could make big changes to reduce plastic pollution. Here’s what we – both individually and globally – should be doing more of, and what to avoid.
Polylactic acid – a popular bioplastic – does not readily break down when released into the ocean, and could disrupt marine ecosystems
Inflating your cars’ tyres properly isn’t just good for your bank account - it can minimise your environmental footprint too.
How to be more a more eco-friendly parent – it’s not as simple as ditching disposable nappies.
Arctic sea ice algae contaminated with microplastics have serious consequences for ecosystems and the climate.
Researchers took samples of the River Thames for two years to track levels of microplastics.
It’s estimated that 1.63 million tons of material will be produced in 2023 for wet wipes.
A study shows that exposure to polyester microfibres inhibits growth in mussels.
By washing our clothes, we release microfibres into the environment which are then ingested by marine animals.
Alternative food containers, such as those made of bioplastics, are being promoted as a way to reduce our exposure to plastic in food. But there is still a lack of knowledge around their impacts.
With concern mounting over microplastics and the search for sustainable options, the woollen swimsuits of the past could be the swimwear of the future.
Synthetic fertiliser prices have shot up amid the war in Ukraine. Could organic fertilisers provide a worthy alternative?
It’s impossible to escape exposure to microplastics and a new study confirms they’re in household dust around the world. But the health risks appear surprisingly low, and vacuuming makes a difference.
It’s important to look at the whole value chain in the plastics economy, starting with design of products that can be reused and recycled.
The Vaal River, which serves more than 11 million people, is considerably polluted with microplastics.
Top contributors
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Lecturer in Ornithology, Charles Sturt University
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Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
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Associate Professor in Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton
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Professor in Forensic and Environmental Science, Staffordshire University
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Research Chair, Indigenous Approaches to Environmental Management, Keele University
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Professor of Sustainable Development, Keele University
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Research Director, Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP); Honorary Senior Research Fellow, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University
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Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University
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Senior Lecturer in Sustainability and the Built Environment, University of Portsmouth
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Associate Professor in Arts and Sustainability, University of Portsmouth
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Senior Principal Research Scientist, Environment, CSIRO
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Professor of Environmental Toxicology, Heriot-Watt University
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PhD Student, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
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Research Professor Ecotoxicology, North-West University
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Professor of Ocean Policy and Economy, University of Portsmouth
