Schematic diagram of the interaction of microplastics and nutrient cycling (IMAGE)

Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)

Schematic diagram of the interaction of microplastics and nutrient cycling

Caption

Zooplankton ingestion of microplastic reduces grazing pressure and permits more algal growth. More algal growth leads to more organic particles sinking out of the surface ocean. When these extra particles sink, they are consumed by bacteria, which leads to an additional loss of oxygen in the water column. Graphics modified from Kvale et al. 2021.

Credit

Graphics modified from Kvale et al. 2021.

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