A stony beach floor is covered with countless pieces of plastic plastic. Many small shards of broken plastic and small pieces of string can be seen. At the center is a small white plastic figure of a cherub, its hand held up as if in despair.

Tiny Invaders: The Unbelievable Journey of Microplastics

ByHayley Frend

Photo by Sébastistien Vincon

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Did you know that right now, there are tiny pieces of plastic travelling all around the world? They are floating in the ocean, resting on mountaintops, and some even end up inside animals and people too! These tiny bits, called microplastics, are smaller than a sesame seed, and they come from things we use every day, like water bottles and clothing. Scientists are working hard to learn more about them and find ways to keep our planet clean.

There are two kinds:

  • Primary microplastics—These start out small, like the microbeads in old face scrubs or tiny fibres from clothes.
  • Secondary microplastics—These break off from bigger plastic items, like bottles, bags, or even car tires!

Microplastics are so small that they can travel almost anywhere. But how did they get there? And what does that mean for the world around us? Let’s dive in!

Tiny pieces of plastic lay on a beach, tangled within a small net. The beach is otherwise beautiful, highlighting the damage microplastic pollution does.

Photo by Soren Funk on Unsplash

Microplastics are everywhere

If microplastics are everywhere how did they get there? 

One of the biggest sources is our clothing! When we wash clothes made from non-natural materials like polyester, tiny plastic fibres break off and get carried away in our plumbing. Unfortunately, most water treatment plants can’t filter out these tiny pieces, so they end up in rivers and oceans.

Car tires are another big contributor. Since modern tires are made with synthetic rubber (a type of plastic), they shed tiny bits of plastic every time they wear down on the road. Rain washes these particles into streams and eventually into the ocean. In fact, 30% of the microplastics in the ocean come from vehicle tires and clothing!

Photo by Sadar Faizan on Unsplash

Other sources include road markings, paint from ships, and even tiny plastic beads that used to be in some tubes of toothpaste and face scrubs. 

Once these tiny invaders enter the ocean, they travel far and wide, reaching even the most remote corners of our planet.

Why are Microplstics a problem? 

Plastic doesn’t just disappear. It breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces but never fully goes away. Since animals sometimes mistake these tiny plastics for food, they end up inside creatures. And when bigger animals eat the smaller ones, the microplastics keep travelling up the food chain. 

Take a look at how microplastics have affected Belle, a baby sea turtle.

Scientists think that these plastics may affect every part of animal life, including how they grow and have babies. The microplastics could also make the animals sicker. Microplastics on the ground also release toxic chemicals into soil and water, making even more animals sick. 

Scientists have discovered microplastics in some of the most surprising places on Earth!

Let’s take a look.

Unbelievable Places Microplastics Have Been Found

The Deepest Parts of the Ocean

Scientists have found microplastics at the very bottom of the ocean, including in the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth! The plastic ends up here after drifting down from the surface, creating a kind of plastic graveyard. Sadly, some deep-sea creatures are eating these plastics without even knowing it.

If you are thirsty for more sea science, then delve into the world of coral reefs next and discover how they could be life-savers!

Frozen in Antarctic Ice

Antarctica is one of the most untouched places on our planet… or so we thought!  In 2022, scientists found tiny pieces of plastic inside Antarctic snow. These plastics travelled through the air, falling from the sky like a very different kind of snowflake. Even worse, some scientists believe these plastics could make ice melt faster, which might lead to rising sea levels.

On Top of the World-Mount Everest!

Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, might seem like the last place you’d find plastic pollution. But in 2020, researchers discovered microplastics near its top!  Most of these tiny plastics come from climbers’ clothes and gear. Every step they take can release microscopic fibres that end up staying on the mountain.

In the Water We Drink

Here’s a mind-blowing fact: Microplastics have been found in bottled water.  Some scientists tested bottled water and found that a single liter could contain hundreds of thousands of plastic particles. Scientists aren’t sure yet if these tiny plastics are dangerous to humans, but they’re working hard to find out.

Even Inside Our Own Bodies!

Would you believe that tiny plastic pieces could end up inside our bodies? Scientists have discovered microplastics in some surprising places inside the human body, and they are still trying to figure out what this means for our health.

Microplastics have been found in some surprising places inside humans, including:

  • Our Organs – Microplastics have been found in important body parts like the liver and even the heart!
  • Breast Milk & Placentas – Some studies have even found microplastics in breast milk and placentas.
  • The Brain – Maybe the most shocking discovery: tiny plastic bits have been found in human brains! Scientists used to think the brain was protected from things like this, but microplastics seem to be sneaky enough to get inside.

By the way- curious about how different brains work? Take a look at our blog all about ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia next and discover the science behind how amazing and unique every brain can be!

Scientists are still studying what this means for our health, but one thing is clear: Plastics are everywhere, even inside us!

What we do know is that plastic pollution is growing fast. If we don’t make changes, there could be three times as much plastic in our world by 2050! That’s why scientists are working hard to figure out how microplastics affect us and how we can stop them from spreading.

The good news? The more we learn, the more we can do to protect ourselves and our planet!

Can We Stop the Plastic Invasion?

Yes! Even though microplastics are a big problem, there’s a lot we can do to help:
✅ Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones.
✅ Wear natural fabrics like cotton instead of synthetic clothes that shed plastic fibers.
✅ Choose plastic-free personal care products.
✅ Help clean up plastic waste when you see it!

And the best part? Scientists are working on amazing new inventions to help fight microplastics!

Microplastic catching Super Sponges.

Scientists have discovered new materials that act like super-powered filters to trap microplastics before they get into our water:

  •  Biochar Magic – We would usually use charcoal on a BBQ but this special type of charcoal can soak up almost all microplastics from water, just like a sponge! 
  • Sponges from the Sea – Scientists in China created a super sponge made of cotton and squid bones (yes, really!) that can clean up 99.9% of microplastics from water. 
  •  Plastic That Fights Plastic? – Engineers found a way to turn old, non-recyclable plastic into a charcoal-like material that can trap 94% of microplastics from dirty water! Giving plastic a second life as a hero.

Robots Cleaning the Water.

Not all heroes wear capes, some are robots that swim, fly, or crawl to remove microplastics.

  •  Floating Drones – A team in Korea built a drone that glides on water like a boat, scooping up microplastics from the surface! 
  • Tiny Robot Swarms – Scientists have designed microscopic robots (super small machines.) that work together like a team to remove microplastics and bacteria from dirty water. 
  • The Snail-Inspired Robot – Inspired by real snails, a team at Cornell University built a robot that moves like a snail to scoop up microplastics from the water.

The world’s smartest minds are coming together to fight microplastic pollution.

With science, technology, and teamwork, we have the power to turn the tide on plastic pollution.

Tonights Dinner Table Discussion

Here are some ideas to spark a fascinating family discussion:

  • Which place mentioned in the blog shocked or surprised you the most, and why?
  • Do you think there are microplastics on the moon?
  • What are some things we use every day that might be sending tiny plastics into the world without us noticing?
  • If you could invent something to help clean up microplastics, what would it be?
  • If you were in charge of solving plastic pollution for the whole planet, where would you start?

Big Family Question:

IWhat small change could we make as a family this week to reduce plastic in our home? Would it really matter?

Science is awesome. So is asking questions.

Learn how to spot real discoveries from made-up ones with our easy 4-step checklist.
It’s fun, printable and free! Grab yours below.

NEVER MISS A DISCOVERY- Microplastics are showing up in the strangest places! Want to explore more surprising science? Sign up for our newsletter and stay curious!

Keep Exploring

Enjoyed this story? You might like diving into how coral reefs act like superheroes, protecting us from big ocean waves — check out that blog here!
Or want to stay in the miniature world? Discover how microrobots are zooming through our lungs to fight disease here!

Let’s Talk About It

We’d love to hear your thoughts below- Do you think you could do anything to reduce microplastic pollution, and do you think it would make a real difference? Let us know!

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