Opinion: Why we need an international agreement on marine plastic pollution

Stephanie B. Borrelle, Chelsea M. Rochman, Max Liboiron, Alexander L. Bond, Amy Lusher, Hillary Bradshaw, Jennifer F. Provencher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

176 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Plastic pollution is strewn across beaches and in oceans, bays, and estuaries. Tiny particles of plastic debris (often called microplastics) are so pervasive in aquatic ecosystems that we find them in seafood (1) and table salt (2). Marine organisms ingest or are entangled by plastic, sometimes with fatal consequences. Research suggests plastic pollution may impact biodiversity, ecosystem services, food security, and human health. In short, plastic pollution is a global threat.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9994-9997
Number of pages3
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume114
Issue number38
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Sept 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Opinion: Why we need an international agreement on marine plastic pollution'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this