Microplastic Pollution of the Biosphere

These links are designed to give an accessible introduction to some of the issues. Very little attention is paid to plastic pollution in general, solutions, or to the rapid increase we are seeing in the production of new plastic by a number of corporates. As issues are discovered, the hope is that a wide range of alternative materials will be designed to replace the plastics that are being used with such gay abandon in our world. Treaties must be agreed to properly sequester the existing plastic which is of little use, rather than allowing these to further polute the biosphere.

If you follow the links you will learn of the effect of microplastics on oceans, on CO2 in the atmosphere, on photosysthesis and even our own organs. While scientific studies are in many cases in their infancy, and need substantial confirmation and elaboration, it is not too early to conceptualize and model the problems and start moving the biosphere to a safer path for its future evolution.

The links are derived from web browsing, with assistance from Google's Gemini and from OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Introductory Materials:

• Microplastic Pollution: The Big Problem with Tiny Plastic:
  This video examines the sources of microplastics and their potential impacts on human and environmental health.
  The YouTube link is here

• Microplastics in the Ocean: A Deep Dive on Plastic Pollution:
  This video explores the accumulation of microplastics in the deep sea and their effects on marine life.
  The YouTube link is here.

• What Are Microplastics? Understanding Their Impact on Our Environment. This article provides a foundational understanding of microplastics, their sources, and their environmental implications.
  The NOAA link is here.

• Microplastics: The Long Legacy Left Behind by Plastic Pollution: Published by the United Nations Environment Programme, this piece delves into the pervasive nature of microplastics and their long-term effects on both human and planetary health.
  UNEP - UN Environment Programme. The link is here.

• The War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita is a BBC documentary series, linked here, that delves into the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. Presented by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Anita Rani, the series investigates the sources of plastic waste, its environmental impact, and explores actionable solutions to mitigate this global problem.

  For viewers in the UK, the series is accessible on BBC iPlayer. International viewers may find the series on various streaming platforms, depending on regional availability. Additionally, the first episode is available on YouTube, linked here.

  Summary of the War on Plastic series:

  Plastic Consumption in Households: The series begins by examining the extent of plastic usage in everyday households, highlighting the challenges consumers face in reducing their plastic footprint.

  Recycling and Waste Management: Hugh traces the journey of recyclable plastics, uncovering that, following China's ban on importing foreign waste, countries like Malaysia have become major recipients of UK plastic waste. This segment sheds light on the complexities and shortcomings of global recycling practice.

  Corporate Responsibility: The presenters challenge major corporations to take accountability for the plastic packaging they produce, advocating for more sustainable practices and materials.

  Government Policies: The documentary scrutinizes governmental roles in addressing plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for robust policies and regulations to curb plastic waste effectively.

  Scientific Reports

  Ocean and sea life forms

• Impacts of Microplastics on Marine Organisms: This study highlights the ingestion of microplastics by marine organisms and the subsequent effects on their health and the broader marine ecosystem. OpenEdition Journals, linked here.

• Microplastics in Marine Mammals: A systematic review discussing the vulnerability of marine mammals to microplastic exposure, including ingestion and potential health impacts. ScienceDirect, linked here.

  Photosynthesis and food production

• Microplastics Hinder Plant Photosynthesis: A recent study revealing how microplastics impair plant photosynthesis, potentially reducing global food supplies and affecting millions. The Guardian story is linked here.

• Microplastics in the Environment: Types, Sources, and Impact on Human Health: This comprehensive review discusses the various types of microplastics, their sources, and their pathways into human and aquatic organisms, emphasizing the need for ongoing research into their effects. ScienceDirect, the article is linked here.

• A global estimate of multiecosystem photosynthesis losses under microplastic pollution Ruijie Zhu et al. The PNAS article is linked here.

  Microplastics and the human brain

• How plastics are invading our brain cells. The Guardian video is linked here.

• Levels of microplastics in human brains may be rapidly rising, study suggests. The Guardian story is linked here.

• Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains. Alexander J. Nihart et al. The Nature Medicine article is linked here.

  General background reports

• Plastics in the environment: evidence summary. Royal Society of New Zealand, 48 pages, accessed 22 March 2025 and linked here.

• Wikipedia article entitled Microplastics. 122 pages. Accessed 22 March 2025 and linked here.

• A review of microplastics risk: implications for Environment Southland, Cawthron Institute, report number 3350, 26 pages, accessed 22 March 2025 and linked here.

22 March 2025