Plastic risk

Micro-plastics – tiny pieces of plastic or fibres which may act as a pathway for persistent, bio accumulating and toxic substances entering the food chain – are increasingly being found in the oceans and could be as harmful to marine life as more obvious, larger debris, such as plastic bags, according to a new report. Sources, fates and effects of microplastics in the marine environment – a global assessment has been published by the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection.