Plastic pellet pollution

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Plastic pellet pollution is a type of marine debris originating from the plastic particles that are universally used to manufacture large-scale plastics. In the context of plastic pollution, these pre-production plastic pellets are commonly known as 'nurdles'.^[1] These microplastics are created separately from the user plastics they are melted down to form, and pellet loss can occur during both the manufacturing and transport stages.^[2] When released into the open environment, they create persistent pollution both in the oceans and on beaches.^[3] About 230,000 tonnes of nurdles are thought to be deposited in the oceans each year, where they are often mistaken for food by seabirds, fish and other wildlife.^[1] Due to their small size, they are notoriously difficult to clear up from beaches and elsewhere.^[4]