Linking effects of microplastics to ecological impacts in marine environments

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2021-02, Vol.264 (Pt 2), p.128541, Article 128541
• Main Authors: Khalid, Noreen, Aqeel, Muhammad, Noman, Ali, Hashem, Mohamed, Mostafa, Yasser S., Alhaithloul, Haifa Abdulaziz S., Alghanem, Suliman M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Organisms; Environmental Monitoring; Marine pollution; Microplastics; Ocean ecology; Oceans and Seas; Plastics - toxicity; Plastisphere; Sorbed chemicals; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128541

Recently, efforts to determine the ecological impacts of microplastic pollutants have increased because of plastic’s accelerated contamination of the environment. The tiny size, variable surface topography, thermal properties, bioavailability and biological toxicity of microplastics all offer opportunities for these pollutants to negatively impact the environment. Additionally, various inorganic and organic chemicals sorbed on these particles may pose a greater threat to organisms than the microplastics themselves. However, there is still a big knowledge gap in the assessment of various toxicological effects of microplastics in the environment. Ecological risk assessment of microplastics has become more challenging with the current data gaps. Thus, a current literature review and identification of the areas where research on ecology of microplastics can be extended is necessary. We have provided an overview of various aspects of microplastics by which they interact negatively or positively with marine organisms. We hypothesize that biogeochemical interactions are critical to fully understand the ecological impacts, movement, and fate of microplastics in oceans. As microplastics are now ubiquitous in marine environments and impossible to remove, we recommend that it’s not too late to converge research on plastic alternatives. In addition, strict actions should be taken promptly to prevent plastics from entering the environment. [Display omitted] •Inorganic and organic chemicals sorbed to microplastics could be extremely harmful to marine biota.•Disease-causing microbes have been found on microplastics.•Exotic invasive species could hitchhike on microplastics to reach new habitats.•Plastic contamination of sediments could adversely affect benthic communities.•Heating properties of plastics could have localized effects on populations of marine organisms.