Research Sources
These sources support the website's explanation of microplastics, plastic pollution, drinking-water concerns, and practical student action. Official sources are used first, and Wikipedia pages are included as extra background reading.
Main Research Sources
National Ocean Service. (2024, June 16). What are microplastics? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Summary: This source explains the basic definition of microplastics and why tiny plastic pieces matter in oceans and aquatic environments.
Open NOAA Ocean Service source →National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program. (2023, February 7). Microplastics.
Summary: This page gives more examples of microplastic types, such as fragments, foam, film, pellets, and fibers.
Open NOAA Marine Debris source →U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2026, March 19). Microplastics research.
Summary: This source explains how EPA researchers describe microplastics and why plastic particles are being studied in natural and built environments.
Open EPA microplastics research →U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2025, October 31). About plastic products and plastic pollution.
Summary: This page explains plastic products, plastic waste, challenges, and actions people can take to reduce plastic waste.
Open EPA plastic pollution overview →U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2026, May 14). Impacts of plastic pollution.
Summary: This source supports the Impact page by explaining environmental and human-health concerns connected to plastic pollution and microplastics.
Open EPA plastic pollution impacts →World Health Organization. (2019). Microplastics in drinking-water.
Summary: This report reviews evidence about microplastics in the water cycle, including tap water, bottled water, possible health questions, and water treatment.
Open WHO report →Extra Background Sources
These links are included because they are easy for students to read, but the main research support for the project comes from the official sources above.
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Microplastics. In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
Summary: This background page gives a broad overview of microplastics, sources, environmental effects, and related research topics.
Open Wikipedia microplastics page →Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Plastic pollution. In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
Summary: This page gives general background about how plastic waste affects land, water, wildlife, and human communities.
Open Wikipedia plastic pollution page →Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Single-use plastic. In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
Summary: This background page connects directly to the campaign because the project focuses on reducing disposable bottles, wrappers, bags, and packaging.
Open Wikipedia single-use plastic page →For the final project, the official sources should be treated as the strongest research evidence. The Wikipedia links are clearly labeled as background only, so they support quick understanding without replacing NOAA, EPA, and WHO.