University of Newcastle: New research shows global abundance of small microplastics is grossly underestimated

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres and present a serious threat to the environment. Little research has been done on the smallest microplastics, which are more hazardous as they are more likely to interact with the marine environment.

Research was undertaken around the Whitsunday Islands region as a testing ground for ‘semi-populated’ areas. As a tourist attraction with wide open spaces, it allowed researchers to also view the impact of microplastics on similar marine surface waters.

The findings from the research, led by Dr Khay Fong from the University of Newcastle, were published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin and indicate the global abundance of small microplastics in marine surface waters are grossly underestimated and requires further investigation.

The researchers will be carrying out further investigations into the abundance of these small microplastics and their threat to our vulnerable ecosystem.