The topic of marine debris is well detailed in New York Sea Grant's fact sheet on"Microplastics" (pdf):

"For years people have worried about the environmental impacts from plastics left behind in the oceans and Great Lakes,"

"Pictures of birds tangled in six-pack rings or turtles choking on plastic bags have documented the danger of discarded plastics that linger in the environment."

Attention has since turned to small plastic particles and microbeads that have been found in waterways, in New York and elsewhere, though.

"Some plastic particles result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, but others are small plastic spheres known as microbeads."

Microbeads, the tiny pieces of plastic commonly used in personal care products, are showing up in waterways across the nation. These tiny particles are considered potentially dangerous to the environment because of their tendency to absorb toxins in the water and then get consumed by fish and other organisms.

For more on the topic, click on the related "News" links to the left.