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T1 Sources, Fate and Effects of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Global Assessment
A1 Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution, 
A2 Anderson, Alison
A2 Andrady, Anthony
A2 Arthur, Courtney
A2 Baker, Joel
A2 Bouwman, Henk
A2 Gall, Sarah
A2 Hidalgo-Ruz, Valeria
A2 Köhler, Angela
A2 Law, Kara
A2 Leslie, Heather
A2 Kershaw, Peter
A2 Pahl, Sabine
A2 Potemra, Jim
A2 Ryan, Peter
A2 Shim, Won Joon
A2 Thompson, Richard
A2 Takada, Hideshige
A2 Turra, Alexander
A2 Vethaak, Dick
A2 Wyles, Kayleigh
K1 environmental management
PB International Maritime Organization
YR 2015
FD 2015
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/9545
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/9545
NO This report provides a global scientific assessment of microplastics in the marine environment, focusing on small plastic particles that either enter the ocean directly or are produced through the fragmentation of larger plastic items under environmental processes such as ultraviolet radiation. It introduces the issue of microplastics, outlines the rationale for undertaking the assessment, and reviews the growing international concern regarding plastic debris in marine ecosystems. The report examines the sources, distribution, environmental behaviour and potential effects of microplastics on marine organisms and ecosystems using available scientific studies, monitoring approaches and analytical methods. It also contributes to a structured assessment approach based on the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response framework, providing an improved evidence base intended to support policy and management decisions aimed at reducing microplastic inputs to the oceans.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 22, 2026