Microplastics – A Hidden Problem Out of Control

Each year billions of particles of micro plastic find their way into the marine environment and being hard to degrade, they accumulate.  They have become ubiquitous and are abundant not only in all of the five ocean´s subtropical gyres but now also in arctic sea ice. Some particles are found suspended in the water, where they can enter the food chain by being ingested by filter feeders, ranging from zoo plankton to baleen whales whereas other particles sink to the bottom to be ingested by benthic species.

The presentation will give an overview which including:

• Sources of primary and secondary micro plastics)
• Route to the oceans
• Transportation within the oceans
• Ecological implications
• Legislation
• Actions proposed by CIWEM (Chartered Institute of Water & Environmental Management)