Plastic bottles and containers are a common sight on the side of the road and in our rivers and streams.

Plastic pollution on a whole is a big problem with plastic comprising 60 to 80% of marine litter. This type of pollution has increased along with the global consumption of plastic products. But did you know that tiny pieces of plastic can be even more dangerous to us and our environment. In this week's article I will look at the problem of plastic particle pollution sometimes referred to as "mermaid's tears" or as I like to call it the "triple P threat".

Microparticles of plastic enter our environment from two main sources; the first are those that are specifically manufactured in this tiny form usually for a specific purpose referred to as primary microplastics. An example of this are the tiny particles used in cosmetic products like exfoliating scrubs or in industrial abrasives. Another type of primary microplastics are nurdles, which are plastic resin pellets usually less than 5mm in diameter which are melted and moulded to produce larger plastic products. Nurdles in particular are a major component of marine debris, and a major source of these nurdles is the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch", which as its name suggests is a collection of marine debris, which is continuing to grow in magnitude. However, a majority of this patch is comprised of plastic products so that with time as they degrade they release nurdles.

Those in the second group are referred to as secondary microplastics. In this group the microplastics are a result of the degradation of plastic products. This breakdown is due to wave action and through photochemical processes that is triggered by sunlight.

To small marine creatures like Krill, these tiny particles are fatal as they can choke on them. However, besides choking, these particles can also damage feeding appendages and cause internal damage if ingested, especially if it is irregularly shaped with sharp points or edges. They can also cause great physiological damage to marine organisms. Larger organisms are able to swallow the nurdles however; they can incur great physiological damage, as chemicals like plasticizers can leach from these tiny particles. This is quite serious as these chemicals are endocrine disruptors. Basically this means that they can either stop or alter the amount of hormone being secreted by the endocrine glands. Endocrine glands are responsible for releasing hormones that control a variety of reproductive, behavioural and neurological process, as well as regulating growth, functioning of various organs and acting as messengers causing other reactions to occur.

However, some animals may intentionally ingest them, mistaking them for fish eggs. But consumption of these small particles may give organisms the false impression of feeling full, so that they eat less food. The result is starvation or the organisms become malnourished, therefore they are more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Also, because of its small size, it is often ingested by small organisms usually at the bottom of the food web, for instance, sediment dwelling marine worms called lugworms. Another organism low in the food chain that ingests nurdles is krill. These tiny animals play a very important role in the food chain as they feed on phytoplankton, while they themselves are food to many aquatic animals like many species of fish, penguins, seals and baleen whales. Therefore these organisms convert the energy in plants to one that is usable by larger animals that cannot directly feed on the tiny phytoplankton.

Plastic debris is also the perfect medium for organisms to travel on, no matter how small these particles may be. Therefore, plastic particles also serve to facilitate the transport of alien species which may be invasive in nature, which may outcompete and eventually lead to the extinction of native species in that area.

In addition to organisms, these particles can also transport pollutants that don't dissolve in water, those that are so-called hydrophobic in nature.

The effects of plastic particle pollution are many but its effects on small animals low in the food chain can be thought of as throwing a tiny pebble is thrown into a pond and the ripples seen for quite a distance, similar to the effects seen in animals higher up the food chain. You may think why this type of pollution is important, but just remember - plastic is going to be around for a long time, so we have to control or take steps of eliminate this problem in order to protect our environment.