Earlier this year (February 2014), scientists discovered a large number of Plastispheres in the ocean. Scientists have defined this new term, Plastisphere, as a new field of research aimed at describing the close relationship between plastic debris and microbial communities in aquatic systems. Initially, scientists found over a thousand species of microorganisms attached to and living with microplastics in the ocean, including known dangerous pathogenic bacteria found in both animal and human habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While scientists haven't yet figured out how microorganisms survive on microplastics, they suggest that these microorganisms may utilize certain components of the microplastics as nutrients, or that the microplastics might be mistaken for food by marine organisms and ingested, obtaining nutrients as they pass through the digestive tract. These plastispheres suspended in the ocean pose a serious threat to the marine food chain and to human health, which is at the top of the food chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because the wastewater treatment system in the United States is unable to effectively intercept the plastic beads used in facial cleansing products to remove dead skin cells, it is estimated that up to 19 tons of these beads enter the wastewater treatment system every year. These beads are carried by the water flow and eventually end up in the ocean, forming plastispheres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, some cosmetic manufacturers in the United States have voluntarily stopped adding microplastic beads to their products, demonstrating their determination to prevent microplastics from entering the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The governments of Illinois and New York are also expected to draft legislation to ban the sale of similar abrasive cleaning products in their respective states, in order to strengthen the protection of marine life and human health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n