Feature Earth

Ocean’s plastics offer a floating fortress to a mess of microbes

The plastisphere is potentially causing changes in ocean environments

floating microbes

HITCHHIKER A microscopic diatom latches onto a tiny plastic piece from the Sargasso Sea (colors added). 

E.R. Zettler/Sea Education Assoc., False color by E. Otwell

By Chris Samoray

- More than 2 years ago

Oceanfront property doesn’t come cheap. Except, perhaps, for some seafaring microbes.

Steady streams of tiny plastic pieces making their way into the ocean give microbial squatters a place to take up residence.