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Integrative evidence on microplastics and heavy metals in vulnerable, threatened, and endangered species in natural environments: knowledge gaps, research priorities, and impacts
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This review pulled together 20 years of research and found that we know surprisingly little about how much plastic pollution and heavy metals are building up inside endangered animals—the data that exists is scattered and focused on just a few species, like vultures and marine animals. This matters for us too: these same pollutants accumulate up the food chain, and gaps in monitoring wildlife mean we're likely missing warning signs about contamination that could eventually affect the food and water humans rely on.
Global biodiversity is facing unprecedented declines, with vulnerable, threatened, endangered, and critically endangered (VTEC) species at disproportionate risk. Among emerging threats, microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) and heavy metals (HMs) are persistent contaminants with high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification across ecosystems. This review is the first to synthesize the scarce and fragmented field-based evidence documenting MPs and HMs in VTEC species, highlighting critical gaps in taxonomic, habitat, trophic, and conservation-level coverage. The review evaluates field evidence on microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (HMs) in vulnerable, threatened, endangered, and critically endangered species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. From 2005 to 2024, only 21 eligible field studies were identified, exposing a serious research deficit relative to conservation urgency. MP studies are dominated by marine taxa while amphibians and freshwater organisms are largely neglected. In contrast, HM research is biased toward terrestrial birds, particularly vultures, with minimal coverage of marine and reptilian species. Overall, contaminant monitoring in high-risk species is fragmented, taxonomically biased, and poorly aligned with proactive conservation planning. Despite extremely limited data, this review underscores the urgent need for integrative, cross-taxa field studies, long-term ecotoxicological monitoring, and conservation strategies.
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Fish, birds, and shellfish living in our lakes, rivers, and oceans are like early-warning systems for pollution—when scientists study the plastics, heavy metals, and chemicals building up in these animals, it reveals what's likely ending up in our water and food supply too. This review found surprisingly few studies (just 14) have connected the dots between wildlife pollution and human health, even though microplastics were the most commonly studied contaminant. The takeaway: we need more research linking environmental contamination in animals to human health risks, since what accumulates in fish and waterbirds today may be a preview of what affects us tomorrow.
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This meta-analysis and systematic review pools data from hundreds of studies to assess whether plastic pollution, both large pieces and microplastics, poses a real ecological threat. The findings confirm negative effects on wildlife across many species and environments, underscoring that plastic pollution is not just an aesthetic problem but a genuine risk to ecosystems and the food chains humans rely on.
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This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in animals across Thailand, from fish to birds, revealing widespread pollution in the country's ecosystems. The findings matter for human health because microplastics that accumulate in wildlife can move up the food chain and eventually end up on our plates.
A Critical Review of Microplastic Effects on Wildlife and Biodiversity with Notes on Current Analytical Detection Techniques
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This systematic review examines how microplastics affect wildlife and biodiversity, noting that most research has focused on marine invertebrates while land animals and vertebrates remain understudied. The evidence shows that microplastics can cause physical harm, chemical toxicity, and behavioral changes across many species. Understanding wildlife impacts matters for human health because microplastics move through food webs that ultimately include the foods people eat.
Plastic effects on marine and freshwater environments
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Researchers reviewed current literature on how plastic pollution harms marine and freshwater environments, finding that microplastics have become a primary concern across studies covering animal health, human health, and ecosystem impacts. A key gap identified is the lack of clear connections linking plastic effects across these three domains — environment, wildlife, and human health — into a unified understanding.
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