Microplastics don't only affect organisms such as fish or other animals that may ingest it, but also primary producers which rely on energy from the sun to photosynthesize.
Depending on the density of the microplastic, they have the potential to float near the upper water column- forming a layer that can affect the penetration of the sun to the producers in the ocean. Plastics contain an optical signature in the radiation spectrum, meaning they are able to absorb some of the wavelengths hitting the water.
Similarly to how certain wavelengths of color are absorbed or reflected, plastic has a spectral reflectance which affects the ratio between upwelling and the solar radiance which is reaching down into the water.
Plastics move in on-shore and off-shore directions via windspeed, storm surge
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