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The Impact of Microplastic Bioaccumulation on Marine Ecosystems
Summary
This review examined the bioaccumulation of microplastics in marine ecosystems, tracing MP uptake from zooplankton to fish to marine mammals and discussing the ecological disruptions caused by plastic accumulation across food webs. It called for integrated solutions addressing MP pollution at both the source and ecosystem levels.
Microplastics, resulting from the decomposition of human-produced plastic waste, were first discovered in the ocean and have significantly disrupted marine ecosystems, causing widespread biological and ecological issues. These problems are severe, and no comprehensive solution has been developed to date. To address these challenges, studying the bioaccumulation process of microplastics and their impact on marine ecosystems is essential for developing effective solutions. This paper reviews recent research on marine microplastics, focusing on their sources, bioaccumulation mechanisms, ecological impacts, and future research directions. The results show that the bioaccumulation of microplastics has a significant negative impact on marine ecosystems and human health. Microplastics not only cause physical pollution but are also toxic, threatening marine biodiversity and potentially harming humans through the food chain. Future research should focus on improving the detection, identification, and degradation of microplastics in real-world environmental conditions, as well as developing standardized methodologies for their analysis.