Plastic is the most common debris found in oceans and lakes. Microplastics are smaller than a grain of rice, and scientists don’t fully understand their impact on aquatic ecosystems, especially in the Great Lakes. Researchers are exploring the scope of the problem, as well as what potential impacts microplastics might have on human and environmental health. 

Explore where microplastics come from, what we know about the consequences of microplastic pollution, and steps anyone can take to help solve this complex plastic problem. 

Presenter: Sarah Zack, Pollution Prevention Extension specialist 

This webinar was originally recorded on June 13, 2024. 

Time stamps: 

0:00 Introduction 

0:48 Contaminants of emerging concern 

2:55 What's in your trash? 

4:35 Where does our garbage go? 

5:41 Plastics and our way of life 

9:07 Garbage in our water 

10:16 Microplastics 

14:13 Timeline of microplastics in marine environments 

19:22 Research gaps 

20:50 Impacts of microplastics on marine environments 

28:43 Impacts of microplastics on human health 

33:21 Plastic solutions 

40:55 What can you do? 

49:05 Questions