Summary:
- Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic pollution, are having a significant impact on the ocean's ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide, a critical process for regulating Earth's climate.
- The presence of microplastics in the ocean disrupts the growth and function of phytoplankton, which are tiny marine plants that play a vital role in the ocean's carbon cycle by absorbing CO2 through photosynthesis.
- Reducing plastic pollution and the amount of microplastics entering the ocean is crucial for maintaining the ocean's natural ability to help combat climate change by removing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.