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Microplastic (MP) contamination in sea cucumbers (Class: Holothuroidea): a review of abundances, distribution, polymer characteristics, and human health implications.
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Sea cucumbers, a popular seafood in many parts of the world, are absorbing tiny plastic particles called microplastics from ocean sediment as they feed—this review pulled together findings from 41 studies to show just how widespread the problem is. The plastics found were mostly tiny fibers and fragments from common materials like polyethylene (used in bags and bottles), and eating contaminated sea cucumbers could be a hidden way these plastics end up in our diets. While scientists don't yet know exactly how much this affects human health, the findings suggest we need better monitoring of seafood for microplastic contamination.
Plastic particles less than 5 mm, known as microplastics (MPs), are emerging as major contaminants in the marine environment. Microplastic (MP) pollution significantly impacts sea cucumbers (Class: Holothuroidea) due to their deposit-feeding activity, which involves ingesting organic contaminants and sediment. The distribution, abundance, morphological characteristics, and polymer composition of MPs in sea cucumbers are all extensively assessed in this review, which is based on a systematic review of 41 peer-reviewed studies evaluating patterns in MP contamination. Fibers (33%), fragments (27%), and films (14%) make up most of the MP particles found in these types of organisms. The most common sizes are between 100 and 500 µm, while the most common colours are blue (22%) and black (23%). Polyethylene (PE) (25%), polypropylene (PP) (17%), and polyester (PES) (14%) are the most frequent types of polymers. Geographical location, environmental pollution levels, and species-specific feeding habits all have a major impact on reported abundances. Consuming microplastic particles (MP) may lead to tissue damage, physiological stress, and contamination of the marine food web. Additionally, since sea cucumbers are important seafood commodities in several regions, the existence of MPs is about possible dietary exposure to humans. This study addresses the environmental effects of MP contamination in sea cucumbers and highlights the necessity of integrated environmental risk assessments, long-term monitoring programs, and standardized methodology.
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This systematic review found that microplastics are ubiquitous in sea cucumber ecosystems, with high concentrations in coastal sediments where these deposit feeders live. Some studies report that microplastic ingestion reduces sea cucumber feeding efficiency, alters behavior, and causes tissue damage, raising concerns for both ecosystem health and human consumers of this seafood.
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