Marine Debris introduces harmful micro-plastics into the Great Marsh ecosystem. Did you know it can take over 600 years for plastic to break down in the ocean, not taking into account what is ingested by marine life?

When plastics do eventually break down into smaller particles, they do not go away. These smaller particles are called micro-plastics and they are harmful to both humans and wildlife. These plastic particles are toxic and cause physical harm when ingested. It is estimated thirty percent of micro-plastics come from styrofoam, bags, wrappers, and plastic bottles.

The Great Marsh Partnership is monitoring baseline levels of microplastics at selected locations in the waters of the Great Marsh to determine their extent. We are also monitoring beach sand microplastics at selected beaches in the Great Marsh as well as removing the debris from the high debris collection areas in several estuaries.