Microplastics are small
plastic particles in the
environment that are generally down to the
micrometer range. They can come from a variety of sources, including
cosmetics,
clothing, and industrial processes. Two classifications of microplastics currently exist: primary microplastics are manufactured and are a direct result of human material and product use, and secondary microplastics are microscopic plastic fragments derived from the breakdown of larger plastic debris like the macroscopic parts that make up the bulk of the
Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Both types are recognized to persist in the environment at high levels, particularly in aquatic and
marine ecosystems. Because plastics do not break down for many years, they can be ingested and incorporated into and
accumulated in the bodies and tissues of many organisms. The entire cycle and movement of microplastics in the environment is not yet known, but research is currently underway to investigate this issue.