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Microplastics in Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: Sources, Distribution, Ecological Impact, and Mitigation Prospects
Summary
This review chapter summarizes how microplastics enter marine and coastal environments—through runoff, maritime activity, and wastewater discharge—and documents their toxic effects on seabirds, marine mammals, turtles, and other wildlife. With annual global plastic production at 280 million tonnes and a substantial fraction reaching the ocean, the authors assess current mitigation strategies and their limitations.
Microplastic pollution is a global environmental problem of anthropogenic origin that affects marine and coastal ecosystems. Microplastics are considered emerging pollutants of great concern. Worldwide, annual plastic production amounts to 280 million tons, and a significant fraction ends up in aquatic ecosystems. Plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm are distributed in the environment through various routes, including rainwater runoff, maritime activities, and wastewater discharges. As a result of their persistence and transportability, these pollutants have toxicological effects on numerous marine species, including birds, mammals, and turtles. In this context, this chapter analyzes the main sources, distribution, ecological impact, and mitigation strategies to prevent microplastic pollution in marine environments.
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