As detailed in a new meta-study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and spotted by The Guardian, an international team of researchers examined the results of 157 studies on how microplastics affect plant life. Their findings — which other experts say will require further data and research to be confirmed — paint an alarming picture of the future of our food supply. According to their analysis, between four and 14 percent of the globe's wheat, rice, and maize crops are being lost due to microplastics. That's because the presence of microplastics reduces the photosynthetic efficiency across terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems by anywhere from seven to 12 percent, the researchers found.
