The ocean works quietly every day to protect life on Earth. It absorbs heat from the atmosphere, stores massive amounts of carbon dioxide and produces much of the oxygen humans breathe. Much of that work depends on organisms so small they cannot be seen with the naked eye. These microscopic marine algae, called phytoplankton, drift near the ocean’s sunlit surface. Despite their tiny size, they carry out nearly half of all photosynthesis on Earth. They absorb carbon dioxide, use sunlight for energy and help move carbon deep into the ocean through a process known as carbon sequestration. Tiny plastic fragments have spread across nearly every marine environment, from crowded coastlines to remote Arctic waters. Scientists already knew these particles could harm marine life. The new research suggests they may also weaken the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. The researchers found that the impact of plastic on CO2 uptake was greatest in dry and tropical climate regions. These regions are particularly vulnerable to microplastic pollution. (CREDIT: Francesca Verones, NTNU) “The ocean plays a …