Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence, Effects, and Fate of Microplastic Marine Debris, September 9-11, 2008

摘要

Are microplastics a problem in the marine environment. This was the key question investigated at the microplastic marine debris research workshop. Participants examined information on a variety of topics that addressed sources, transport, and possible impacts of microplastic marine debris. When planning this workshop, it was sought to bring together leading scientists investigating micropalstics as well as those with expertise in related fields. Very little research directly focusing on sources and levels of microplastics in the marine environment has been published, and even less published research addresses the impacts of microplastics on marine ecosystems. This workshop opened the dialog among scientists in this field and took a comprehensive look at each component of the issue: sources and occurrences of microplastics, impacts of microplastics on the marine environment, and chemistry of microplastics including their ability to sorb and leach contaminants in the marine environment.