How Microplastics Reduce Ocean Carbon Sequestration

Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that microplastics hinder the ability of phytoplankton to absorb carbon dioxide. Plastic particles block sunlight and cause oxidative stress in algae, reducing the ocean's efficiency as a natural carbon sink, particularly in tropical and arid regions. The study integrates these findings into a life cycle assessment of plastics. This approach links plastic pollution directly to climate change by quantifying how discarded materials degrade the ecosystem services that regulate atmospheric CO2 levels.