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Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Aquatic Systems
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This review examines the sources, distribution, and ecological impacts of micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic systems worldwide. Researchers found that only about nine percent of plastic waste is recycled globally, with the remainder contributing to environmental contamination that eventually reaches rivers, lakes, and oceans. The study highlights the broad range of harmful effects these particles can have on aquatic organisms and ecosystems, from physical ingestion to chemical leaching.
The predilection for having a sustainable and well-developed economy, with amelioration in population and living standards, focused only on successful development and implementation, not on the billions of waste generated. Plastics are one such material that has pioneered sophisticated living standards since their discovery and has been augmented with industrialization and commercialization. However, with the overall consumption, only approximately 9% of the million tons of waste plastics generated undergo recycling. The uncontrolled littering of these materials results in a critical system, outpacing the expertise to access these materials beyond planetary boundaries. The non-biodegradable and toxic nature of plastic materials leads to the generation of micro- and nanoplastics, polluting the ecosystem cognate with it. This chapter focuses on the presence of nano/microplastics in aquatic ecosystems, primarily focusing on their toxicity and subsequent effects on the marine environment and its flora and fauna.
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Effects of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic ecosystems: Current research trends and perspectives
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This review covers 83 studies on the distribution and toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics in both marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Researchers found that these tiny particles affected the growth, development, behavior, reproduction, and survival of a wide range of aquatic organisms. The paper identifies key research gaps and suggests future directions for understanding the full ecological impact of plastic pollution in aquatic environments.
Microplastics in Aquatic Environments
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This review examined microplastics as ubiquitous pollutants in aquatic environments, tracing their origins in large-scale plastic production and inadequate waste management systems and synthesizing evidence on their distribution, ecological impacts, and implications for global water quality.
Effect of microplastics in water and aquatic systems
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This review examines the sources, distribution, and effects of microplastics in water and aquatic systems globally. Researchers found that microplastics are ingested by a wide range of aquatic organisms, leading to accumulation of toxic substances and disruption of physiological functions. The study highlights the urgent need for better waste management policies and further research into the long-term ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in freshwater and marine environments.
Plastic Pollution and the Ecological Impact on the Aquatic Ecosystem
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This review examines plastic pollution's ecological impact across aquatic ecosystems, noting that over 300 million tons of plastic are produced annually and around 75% of marine litter is plastic. Microplastics and nanoplastics are highlighted as especially harmful because their small size allows direct ingestion by aquatic life at all levels of the food chain.
Emergence of nanoplastics in the aquatic environment and possible impacts on aquatic organisms
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This review summarizes current knowledge on nanoplastics in aquatic environments, finding them present in seas, rivers, and nature reserves across multiple continents at measurable levels. These extremely small plastic particles accumulate in aquatic organisms and cause growth problems, reproductive issues, and immune dysfunction, raising concerns about human exposure through contaminated seafood and drinking water.
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.