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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Progress in the Study of Toxic Effects of Microplastics on Organisms in Freshwater Environments and Human Health

Water 2025 9 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Qiao Cong, Zixuan Ren, Yang Zheng, Lijun Wang, Hai Lu

Summary

This review summarizes the toxic effects of microplastics on algae, aquatic animals, and human health in freshwater environments. Microplastics harm freshwater organisms through oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of normal biological functions, with effects that can accumulate up the food chain. The study highlights the urgent need for better plastic waste management to protect both freshwater ecosystems and the human communities that depend on them.

Study Type Environmental

The invention of plastics has brought great convenience to the daily life of humans. However, due to the lack of an efficient recycling mechanism, a large number of plastic products have entered the freshwater environment, resulting in the pollution of microplastics (MPs), which poses a serious threat to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Therefore, this paper reviews the toxic effects of MPs on algae and aquatic animals in freshwater environments and human health. This study aims to summarize the influencing factors and mechanisms of the toxic effects of MPs on freshwater environments. This study is of great significance for the effective prevention and control of MPs pollution and to enhance the quality of freshwater environments.

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