microplastic
Microscopic synthetic fragments
Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, typically smaller than five millimeters, that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items or are manufactured small for products like cosmetics and cleaning agents.
They accumulate in oceans, soil, and drinking water, entering the food chain and human bodies: Researchers found microplastics in fish tissue.
The term usually appears in the plural, as the concern is their collective presence rather than individual particles.
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PETNuclear medicine imaging
- nylonSynthetic textile polymer
polyester · acrylic · resin · polymer · synthetic · additive · plasticizer · stabilizer
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- marineRelating to the sea
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
- ecosystemsInterdependent organism-environment systems
biodiversity · habitats · ingestion · phytoplankton · zooplankton · filter-feeders · shellfish · fish
Introduction of impurities
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- wasteUnwanted discarded material
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- garbageDiscarded waste material
landfill · runoff · sewage · wastewater · stormwater · leachate · effluent · discharge
Relating to the sea
- gyresRotating circular movements
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- benthicOf the sea bottom
pelagic · coral · plankton · fish · seabirds · turtles · beach · shoreline
Plastic-softening chemical compounds
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- leachingDissolving out by liquid
- absorptionProcess of taking in
adsorption · POPs · heavy metals · dioxins · chemicals · harmful · health risk · exposure
Incomplete portion of whole
- pelletSmall rounded mass
- granuleTiny solid fragment
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
- filamentVery thin thread
primary · secondary · size · millimeter · micrometer · filtration · detection · sampling
Woven or knit materials
- laundryItems needing cleaning
- clothingBody coverings worn daily
- tiresRubber wheel coverings
- cosmeticsSkin-applied beauty substances
exfoliants · packaging · bottles · bags · fishing nets · synthetic turf · paint · abrasion
Resists microbial breakdown
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- ubiquitousPresent in all places
- longevityDuration of existence
- irreversibleCannot be undone
chronic · permanent · entrenched · infiltration · pervasive · enduring · stable · resistant
polyethylene
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PETNuclear medicine imaging
nylon · polyester · acrylic · resin · polymer · synthetic · additive · plasticizer · stabilizer · pigment
bioaccumulation
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- marineRelating to the sea
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
ecosystems · biodiversity · habitats · ingestion · phytoplankton · zooplankton · filter-feeders · shellfish · fish · seabirds
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- wasteUnwanted discarded material
- debrisScattered broken fragments
garbage · landfill · runoff · sewage · wastewater · stormwater · leachate · effluent · discharge · littering
marine
Relating to the sea
- gyresRotating circular movements
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
benthic · pelagic · coral · plankton · fish · seabirds · turtles · beach · shoreline · trawl
phthalates
Plastic-softening chemical compounds
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- leachingDissolving out by liquid
absorption · adsorption · POPs · heavy metals · dioxins · chemicals · harmful · health risk · exposure · ingestion
fragment
Incomplete portion of whole
filament · primary · secondary · size · millimeter · micrometer · filtration · detection · sampling · concentration
textiles
Woven or knit materials
cosmetics · exfoliants · packaging · bottles · bags · fishing nets · synthetic turf · paint · abrasion · washing machine
nonbiodegradable
Resists microbial breakdown
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- ubiquitousPresent in all places
- longevityDuration of existence
irreversible · chronic · permanent · entrenched · infiltration · pervasive · enduring · stable · resistant · inert
- plasticsplastics, polymers, polymer, polyethylene, polypropylene
- Micromicrobe, microbes, microchip, microchips, microscope
- Microscopicbacterium, virus, amoeba, paramecium, microbe
- environmentair pollution, ecology, clean air, biosphere, air quality
- Contaminantspollutants, pollutant, heavy metals, toxin, pesticides
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, contamination, tripping hazard
microplasticorganic matter
Material from living sources
humus · detritus · leaf litter · compost · mulch
microplasticnatural fiber
Material from living sources
cellulose · sand grain · pollen · wood fiber · cotton fiber
microplasticplastic debris
Discarded synthetic material waste
plastic waste · plastic bottle · plastic bag · plastic sheet