•1 min read•from Oceanography News -- ScienceDaily
Microplastics are undermining the ocean’s power to absorb carbon
Our take
Microplastics pose a significant threat to the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon, one of Earth's essential climate regulatory mechanisms. Recent research indicates that these tiny plastic particles disrupt marine life, particularly plankton and microbes, which play a crucial role in carbon dioxide absorption. As microplastics break down, they also release greenhouse gases, further exacerbating climate change. This interference not only undermines the natural carbon cycle but also diminishes the ocean's capacity to help regulate global temperatures, highlighting an urgent need for action in ocean stewardship.
Tiny plastic particles drifting through the oceans may be quietly weakening one of Earth’s most powerful climate defenses. New research suggests microplastics are disrupting marine life that helps oceans absorb carbon dioxide, while also releasing greenhouse gases as they break down. By interfering with plankton, microbes, and natural carbon cycles, these pollutants reduce the ocean’s ability to regulate global temperatures.
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