Plastic in Our Oceans: How Does Plastic Enter the Ocean and How Does It Affect Our Environment?
_{Imagine you are walking on the beach and waves are coming towards the shore; the sun shines, and everything looks beautiful, but when you look down at the seashore, you see plastic bottles, chips, wrappers, and many more things. Sad, but it is true. Pollution becomes a major problem for all those creatures who depend on the ocean for their lives. Every year, tonnes of plastic in our oceans enter the aquatic environment. But these plastic wastes and materials reach the oceans. Just take a look at the journey of plastic from land to the ocean.}
What Is Oceanic Plastic Pollution?
_{Oceanic plastic pollution simply means that plastics enter the oceans or any other aquatic habitats. The problem is that plastics are not easily decomposed; it takes time to decompose. Instead, large plastic material breaks into small particles, including Microplastics in Ocean. Microplastics are tiny particles that are generally small sized or even 5 millimeters in size. Once plastic enters the oceans, it remains there for longer periods and creates problems for aquatic habitats and ecosystems.}
How Does Plastic Reach the Ocean From Land?
_{You may wonder how this plastic reaches the oceans from land. The answer is simple: when we throw plastic in open areas like beaches or along shores, rain and storms move it toward the ocean. According to UNEP, around 2.7 million tonnes of the approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic that enter the ocean each year come from rivers. So, a piece of plastic that starts far away from the coast can eventually find its way into the ocean.}
What Happens to Plastic When It Reaches the Ocean?
_{It does not immediately disappear once it enters the ocean. Large plastics are moved by oceanic currents. Over time, these large plastics are broken into small particles when they are exposed to sunlight. These small particles are known as MICROPLASTICS. These Microplastics in the ocean are very difficult to remove from the oceans because it is spread throughout the water.}