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Millions of Invaders Are Attacking the Ocean, and the Ocean Is Losing
Summary
Every year, about 11 million additional tons of tiny plastic bits (called microplastics) pour into the ocean, spreading through the water and marine life. Scientists who study the Earth are working on ways to track where these plastics go so we can find better ways to stop them before they spread further. This matters because microplastics don't just stay in the ocean—they work their way up through fish and seafood, meaning what ends up in the water can eventually end up on our plates.
Every year, an additional 11 million tons of microplastics permeate the water column and marine ecosystems within it. Geoscience is contributing to strategies that aim to identify microplastic movements—and stop them.