Uncovering the impact of microbeads

Published: 

25 August 2017

Our experts are contributing to the big conversations about life in our oceans. One of the biggest topics globally is how humankind is impacting the marine environment through disposal of plastics, and in particular, microbeads.

Millions of us use products containing microbeads every day. These tiny pieces of plastic can be found in countless cosmetics and bathroom products found in homes worldwide, but can lead to immense environmental damage.

The UK government has announced that legislation will be introduced this year to put the ban of microbeads in place, in a bid to cut plastic pollution in our oceans and protect our sea life.

Located directly on the south coast of England, we are in prime position for exploring the world’s seas and oceans. Our students and researchers at Ocean and Earth Science are based at our unique Waterfront Campus, the prestigious National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), and are at the forefront of the field, finding solutions to the world’s most urgent problems.

Plastics in our oceans

Dr Simon Boxall is Principal Teaching Fellow within Ocean and Earth Science, and has worked with institutions and organisations across the world, as well as on over 100 documentaries.

Watch Simon explore the issue of microbeads and plastic pollution in our video below.