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Insightful analytical review of potential impacts of microplastic pollution on coastal and marine ecosystem services
Summary
This analytical review assessed how microplastic debris disrupts ecological functions of marine and coastal habitats, including mangroves and seagrass ecosystems, identifying critical knowledge gaps around microbial impacts and calling for coordinated global research on supporting ecosystem services most vulnerable to microplastic interference.
• Microplastic debris can disrupt and damage the ecological functions of marine and coastal habitats. • Microplastics represent a new stressor for mangrove and seagrass ecosystems and pose a threat to the ecosystem services they provide. • There is a noticeable knowledge gap concerning the effects of microplastics on microorganisms. • It is essential to prioritize the assessment and study of supporting services to maintain the stability of the global ecosystem and, in turn, preserve other services. • Coordinated global initiatives and actions among nations and industries are necessary to effectively address marine plastic pollution. The increasing volume of plastic waste and the widespread use of plastic products pose significant challenges to the effectiveness of strategies, policies, and management projects aimed at combating ocean plastic pollution. Three billion people's livelihoods depend on marine and coastal resources, and the market value of these resources and related blue industries is estimated at US$3 trillion annually, which is about 5% of global GDP. Plastics make up around 80% of the total waste discarded in the ocean, and each year, over 13 million metric tons of plastic enter the marine environment threatening biodiversity and affecting ecosystem services upon which the economy of coastal countries depends. This paper explores the impact of plastic waste on understudied marine and coastal ecosystem services, utilizing the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework as a guide. This study reveals that prioritizing the assessment and study of supporting services is critical for maintaining and sustaining other services. This review provides data on the impact of plastic on marine ecosystem services and highlights the need for effective plastic waste management to sustain these services. Coordinated global actions and initiatives among regions, nations, and industries remain crucial steps in addressing and tackling plastic pollution in the ocean.