microplastic
MY-kroh-plas-tik
/ˈmaɪ.kroʊˌplæs.tɪk/
Extremely small pieces of plastic debris, less than five millimeters long, that contaminate aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Refers specifically to synthetic polymer fragments created by the breakdown of larger plastics or manufactured directly as microbeads.
The story behind the word. Coined in 2004 by marine biologist Professor Richard Thompson to describe tiny plastic fragments accumulating in ocean sediments and water columns across the globe.
Word relationships
- synthetic microparticle: Synthetic microparticle includes non-plastic man-made small particles like glass or ceramic dust.
- macroplastic: Large, visible plastic items such as containers or netting.
Commonly confused with
- microbead: Microbeads are intentionally manufactured tiny plastic spheres used in cosmetics; microplastics include both microbeads and broken fragment debris.
Collocations
- microplastic pollution
- microplastic particles
- ingested microplastics
Example sentences
- "Researchers detected microplastic particles in the digestive tracts of deep-sea fish." Marine biology study
- "Washing synthetic fleece jacket garments releases thousands of microplastic fibers into wastewater streams." Consumer health news
Memory hook
MICRO (tiny) + PLASTIC = invisible synthetic pollution. Tiny plastic bits floating in water.
When not to use
Do not use to describe large intact plastic bottles or natural organic matter.
Fun facts
- Microplastics have been found in pristine snow near the peak of Mount Everest and in rainwater falling over national parks.
Related words
Explore more words
particulate, microhabitat, Polymer, Anthropogenic, aquatic, trophic
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