"Tiny Plastic, Big Problem"

to make readers curious about the “hidden” pollution

to introduce the topic of pollution on the ground and in trees

to claim that pollution is becoming harder to see because people are ignoring it

to argue that pollution on land is a more serious problem than pollution in the ocean

by showing that most zooplankton will not consume plastic particles if they are exposed to them

by providing support for the theory that the missing plastic trash was consumed by organisms in the ocean

by proving that zooplankton consume as much plastic as other species of sea animal even though they are extremely small

by arguing that sea animals would be less likely to consume plastics if people could prevent them from breaking down into smaller particles

Zooplankton eat the microbeads, allowing more zooplankton to survive and reproduce.

Zooplankton eat the microbeads, which causes them to get less nutrition from real food.

The microbeads rub against the skin of the zooplankton causing damage to the outer layer

The microbeads break down in the zooplankton’s digestive system, releasing chemicals into the ocean

Plastic pollution is a minor problem that does not impact humans.

Researchers are focusing on larger animals to figure out where lost plastic is going.

Plastic trash in the ocean affects the entire marine food web and must be reduced.

It is impossible to stop plastic pollution, so scientists should develop methods for breaking down plastics