Microplastics: understanding the interaction with the food web and potential health hazards

Microplastics have become a universal environmental contaminant, penetrating marine and freshwater ecosystems and presenting significant adverse effects on aquatic life and human health. In aquatic organisms, microplastics can cause physical harm, disrupt feeding and reproductive behaviours, and carry toxic chemicals that intensify their impact. For humans, the ingestion of microplastics through contaminated seafood and water raises concerns about long-term health complications, including inflammation, endocrine disruption, and exposure to harmful additives and pollutants associated with microplastics. The exploration of the origin of microplastics, their transport, and distribution at various trophic levels of the food web has become an imperative environmental concern. From filter-feeding zooplankton to predatory fish, microplastics are ingested and assimilated, with the potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification along the food chain. Moreover, their small size and widespread dispersal make them particularly challenging to mitigate or eliminate from the environment. The present review underscores the necessity for ongoing research to fully elucidate the mechanisms and consequences of microplastic interactions within the food web. Enhanced understanding of these dynamics is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies and regulatory policies aimed at reducing microplastic pollution and protecting ecosystem and human health.