The Plastiverse Extends to Hydrogeologic Systems: Microplastics Are an Important Emerging Groundwater Contaminant Class

Summary

Scientists are finding tiny plastic particles, called microplastics, in groundwater, the water stored underground that many communities rely on for drinking water. This matters because groundwater has long been considered relatively protected from surface pollution, so this research suggests we need to start paying closer attention to how these plastics get into our water supplies and what that could mean for our health down the road. More research is still needed to fully understand the risks, but this is an important first step in recognizing groundwater as another place where microplastic contamination shows up.