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Co-Exposure of Microplastics and Metal Ions
Summary
Tiny plastic particles in water don't just pollute on their own — this review of existing research shows they can act like magnets for toxic metals, binding them and carrying them into the bodies of fish and other aquatic life, sometimes making the metals more harmful. Since these smaller plastic bits can slip inside cells and cause damage, and since fish and seafood are part of many diets, this combo pollution could be a bigger health concern than looking at plastics or metals separately. The researchers note that scientists still don't fully understand the long-term risks, especially from the smallest "nanoplastic" particles, so more study is needed before we know exactly
Microplastics (MPs) and metal ions are ubiquitous pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, with their co-exposure raising significant concerns due to complex ecotoxicological interactions that remain poorly understood. This chapter reviews the current knowledge on the environmental fate, physicochemical interactions, and ecotoxicological impacts of MPs and metal ions on aquatic organisms. Key mechanisms include metal adsorption onto MPs via electrostatic forces, functional group interactions, and surface properties, which modulate metal bioavailability and enhance their transfer into organisms through ingestion or passive uptake. Smaller plastic particles exacerbate toxicity by facilitating intracellular metal accumulation, inducing oxidative stress, and disrupting cellular functions. Ecotoxicological effects span multiple taxonomic groups, including microalgae, invertebrates, and fish/amphibians, with synergistic or antagonistic outcomes depending on pollutant concentrations, environmental conditions, and organism physiology. Advanced methodologies, such as bioimaging, omics tools, and modeling approaches, have revealed context-dependent interactions influenced by factors like pH, temperature, and organic matter. Despite progress, gaps persist in understanding long-term ecological consequences, species-specific responses, and the role of nanoplastics in metal toxicity amplification. This chapter emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary frameworks to integrate environmental fate studies, toxicological mechanisms, and ecological risk assessments, ultimately guiding policy development for mitigating co-exposure risks in aquatic ecosystems.