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Seaweed as a sink for microplastic contamination: Uptake, identifications and food safety implications
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This review examines how seaweed, a widely consumed food, absorbs and accumulates microplastics from ocean water. Research shows seaweed can account for up to 45.5% of total dietary microplastic intake in some regions, with particularly high levels in South Asia. The findings are concerning for human health because seaweed is eaten directly and is also increasingly used in health supplements and food additives.
Microplastics (MPs) are a rising global concern, infiltrating marine ecosystems and food sources, including seaweed, which is widely consumed. This review examines the prevalence of MPs in seaweed, their role as pathways for MPs to enter marine food webs, and the potential risks to marine organisms and human health. Findings indicate that it contributes up to 45.5 % of total dietary microplastic (MP) intake through seaweed, with particularly high levels in South Asian regions, which is concerning. Factors such as seaweeds morphology, surface properties, epibionts, and environmental conditions influence MP uptake. Microplastic contamination in seaweed leads to bioaccumulation and biomagnification, affecting marine organisms through oxidative stress, growth disruption, immune issues, and metabolic disturbances. Seaweeds bioaccumulate heavy metals from seawater, and microplastics (MPs) attract these metals, increasing toxicity might enter food chain posing health risk. Simple methods like water washing can reduce MPs on seaweed surfaces. However, in this case, innovative detection methods and advanced removal technologies are still underexplored. Similarly, Microplastic (MP) contamination presents economic risks to the global seaweed industry, valued at USD 7.0 billion in 2023, with exports reaching 819,100 tonnes worth USD 3.21 billion. By 2024, the industry, dominated by Asian countries, had grown to USD 22.13 billion, but MP contamination threatens further expansion by undermining consumer confidence, reducing market value, and increasing regulatory scrutiny. Asia accounts for 47.9 % of global seafood MP contamination, the economic repercussions could be substantial. Future research should explore the long-term effects of environmental aging on microplastic debris in seaweeds related marine organisms, emphasizing food security and human health. Studies should also focus on the toxicological effects of micro- and Nano plastics (MNPs) from seaweed-based contaminants in human food consumption. Robust government initiatives and policies promoting a circular economy are crucial for effective management.
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Seaweeds as a major source of dietary microplastics exposure in East Asia
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This study found that seaweed is a major and previously overlooked source of dietary microplastic exposure in East Asia, with Chinese consumers estimated to ingest over 17,000 microplastic particles per year through seaweed alone. Seaweed-derived exposure accounted for up to 45.5% of total dietary microplastic intake, surpassing all other food sources. These findings are important for the millions of people in East Asian countries who regularly consume kelp and nori as dietary staples.
Microplastics contamination in seaweed: impacts on human health and mitigation approaches
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This review found that microplastics contaminate many types of edible seaweed, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms. Since seaweed is consumed worldwide, these microplastics can enter the human body and potentially cause oxidative damage, cell toxicity, and neurotoxicity. More research is needed to fully understand the health risks of eating microplastic-contaminated seaweed.
Food safety in the seaweed food supply chain : Inventory of production, consumption and chemical and physical hazards
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This Dutch food safety report inventories the chemical and physical hazards — including microplastics — present in seaweed cultivated for human consumption. As the seaweed food market grows, understanding contamination risks including plastic particles is important for protecting consumer health.
Exploring Seaweed Cultivation in the Marine Environment and Its Interaction with Microplastic
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This review examines interactions between seaweed cultivation in marine environments and microplastic pollution, exploring how seaweed can both accumulate microplastics and potentially be used in bioremediation strategies to reduce plastic contamination in coastal waters.
Microplastics in the commercial seaweed nori
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Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in commercial nori (edible seaweed) at different stages of processing, finding that microplastics were present in both raw and processed products. The results suggest that nori can accumulate microplastics from its marine growing environment and retain them through processing into consumer products.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.