Around 5.25 trillion plastic particles are floating in the oceans, representing a serious environmental problem. Microplastics originate from the weathering and disintegration of larger plastic debris, from plastic pellets used in plastics manufacturing, microplastic additives in cleaning and personal care products, and synthetic clothing.
The IAEA initiated an international research project to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to gain a better understanding of the effect these microplasitics.