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Plastic beverage bottles removed from the Anacostia River in Washington, DC (Photo: NOAA).
We’re spending March talking all about marine debris and its types, sources, impacts, and solutions. Tune in to our blog and social media throughout the month to learn more about this important topic and how we can all be part of the effort to make our lives and our ocean #DebrisFree!
Wakame kelp (Undaria pinnatifida), native to Japan and a known invasive species, was found in Oregon attached to debris that resulted from the Japan tsunami in 2011 (Photo: Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center).
Marine debris can have many negative effects on us and our environment. One potential impact of debris which is often overlooked is marine debris’ potential to assist in the spread of non-native, and potentially invasive, species.
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Plastic beads, cups, and toys in a drain are left over after a Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile, AL (Photo: Mobile Baykeeper).
Plastic beads, toys, and even moon pies are all Mardi Gras staples thrown to excited crowds during parades and celebrations. Unfortunately, what these parades leave behind is less exciting. Our partners at Mobile Baykeeper are working to combat the tide of debris from Mardi Gras celebrations that end up in rivers, steams, and even the Gulf of Mexico.
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Microplastic debris on a beach (Photo: NOAA).
Microplastics come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made with a range of different chemical ingredients. What do these differences mean for the animals that ingest them? Our partners are working to uncover the effects of a variety of microplastics on freshwater clams.
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This infographic outlines the results reported in the Quantification of Microplastics on National Park Beaches.
Did you know that microplastics can be found on beaches around the world, even in our National Parks? Researchers at the National Park Service and Clemson University found that these treasured and iconic public lands are not immune to the impacts of even the smallest debris.
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