Plastics Threaten Ocean’s Critical Role in Carbon Uptake
MES/COS/CEE Professor Aron Stubbins published his research on “Plastics in the marine carbon cycle” in Pollution Impacts. Stubbins describes how plastics may be reducing the ability of the oceans to take up some of the carbon we emit to the atmosphere. If the oceans take up less carbon dioxide, that will leave more in the atmosphere and make climate change more severe.
Abstract
Marine plastic pollution is a growing problem threatening ocean ecosystems. Now, research explores how these plastics may be impacting the ocean’s ability to offset anthropogenic carbon emissions.