ocean pollution

The ocean’s surface harbors an ecosystem of colorful, understudied life, ranging from protists and cnidarians to insects.

The sea surface is home to a diverse group of animals adapted to life in the open ocean, but increasingly, they’re sharing that space with plastic debris.

Laboratory experiments find that Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia can congregate on microplastic beads and fibers, suggesting they might make their way into and around the world’s oceans by hitching rides on tiny bits of trash.

In Chapter 5, "Pick Up the Pieces," author Erica Cirino investigates the potential health risks of the small plastic particles that permeate the planet.

Plastic waste pervades every ecosystem on Earth and is likely affecting neurobiology as well.

Seabirds in Norway use fishing debris to construct nests.

PCBs persist in the environment and accumulate in killer whales, driving their numbers down.

The resulting lost protein, PON1, breaks down organophosphates in land mammals.

Across the US, laboratories are finding creative ways to minimize the amount of plastic they throw away.  

An analysis of 15 types of stressors finds humans are heavily affecting most sea areas.

Historically thought to be a refuge for coral growing in the shallows, coral reefs from oceanic depths face similar threats, finds a new study.

In a world beset by climate change, marine pollution, and dwindling natural resources, a member of the mushrooming human population pauses to consider his role.

New research suggests that plastic might just “taste good” to hard corals.

Contamination of marine and terrestrial ecosystems by microplastics is putting individual organisms at risk.

Both macroplastic items, such as bags, bottles, and other packaging, and products containing micro- and nanoplastic particles—from cosmetics to paints—contaminate the Earth’s ecosystems.

A round-up of recent discoveries in behavior research

A new study surveys the extent of the plastic problem in the world’s oceans, estimating more than 5 trillion pieces weighing nearly 250,000 tons.