 The study examined the effects of plastic production on microplastic density in an Australian estuary over a period of 260 years. The researchers found that microplastic density increased significantly with increasing plastic production and coastal population growth. They also noted that fibers were the most common type of microplastic found in their samples, suggesting that much of the plastic detected was likely contaminated rather than naturally occurring. This article was authored by Catherine A. Willis, Catherine A. Willis, Ruth Erickson, and others.