Experts study where microplastics are winding up—and what risks they pose

While photos of littered beaches and floating garbage patches are unsettling, perhaps the most problematic plastic is barely visible to the naked eye. Called microplastics—chunks less than 5 millimeters across—these bits have been detected everywhere from Arctic sea ice to national parks. While photos of littered beaches and floating garbage patches are unsettling, perhaps the most problematic plastic is barely visible to the naked eye. Called microplastics—chunks less than 5 millimeters across—these bits have been detected everywhere from Arctic sea ice to national parks. Ecology Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories