Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment – Effects on Ocean Carbon Sequestration and Sustenance of Marine Life

The alarming increasing rate of plastic use in our daily lives has been found to be detrimental to the environment at large; however, danger on a wider scale is posed by microplastics (MPs), which are not easily visible to the human eye. One of the major targets of microplastic pollution is the aquatic environment, especially the marine environment. While the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has identified the main sources of such pollution as city dust, tires, synthetic textiles, plastic pellets, and personal care products, among others, MPs, both primary and secondary, inflict harm on the ecosystem in various ways. The far-reaching consequences include disrupted homeostasis of ocean carbon sequestration, induced toxicity leading to major loss of marine biodiversity, bioaccumulation leading to human health hazards, and overall concern about food safety. Also of interest are fisheries and aquaculture, which on the one hand contribute to the dispersion of hazardous MPs, and on the other, put the health of the fish population at risk. This chapter aims to explore the effects of MPs on the ecosphere and also attempts to understand the global impact: the ongoing threat to climate change and the sustenance of future generations.