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Impact of microplastics on human health and aquatic species
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This review examines the harmful effects of microplastics on marine life and human health, covering physical injury, oxidative stress, and disrupted immune responses in fish and other organisms. Researchers found that these impacts can cascade through marine food webs, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem function. The study also highlights growing concerns about human exposure to microplastics through seafood and other pathways.
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a pervasive environmental challenge, with significant implications for both marine ecosystems and human health. This study delves into the adverse effects of MPs, highlighting their physical, chemical, and biological impacts on marine life, particularly fish. These impacts include physical injury, oxidative stress, and altered immune responses, which can have cascading effects on marine biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. The review also underscores the risk MPs pose to humans through direct exposure, via consumption of contaminated seafood, inhalation, or dermal contact, potentially leading to oxidative stress, cytotoxic effects, and disturbances in immune function. By comprehensively examining existing research and identifying knowledge gaps, this study aims to underline the urgent need for targeted research strategies. These strategies should focus on elucidating the complex interactions between MPs and biological systems, assessing long-term health implications, and developing effective mitigation measures. Through detailed analysis of methodologies, results, and existing literature, this review aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted impact of microplastics, thereby guiding future research directions and informing policy decisions for the protection of marine ecosystems and human health.
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The Environmental and Health Implications of Microplastics on Human and Aquatic Life
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This review summarizes the harmful effects of microplastics on both aquatic ecosystems and human health, covering physical injury, chemical toxicity, and immune disruption in marine organisms. Researchers found that microplastics can accumulate through the food chain and potentially affect human health through seafood consumption and other exposure routes. The study highlights the urgent need for policy interventions to reduce plastic pollution at its source.
Assessing Impact of Microplastics on Aquatic Food System and Human Health
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This review assesses the impact of microplastics on aquatic food systems and human health, noting that aquatic species exposed to microplastics over extended periods can experience oxidative stress, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive issues. The study highlights that microplastics also act as carriers for other chemical pollutants in aquatic environments, compounding their potential risks through the food chain.
Microplastics in aquatic environments: A review on occurrence, distribution, toxic effects, and implications for human health
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This review examines the global occurrence of microplastics in aquatic environments and their potential impacts on both aquatic organisms and human health. Researchers found that microplastics are now present in virtually all freshwater and marine systems, where they cause a range of harmful effects including oxidative stress, inflammation, and reproductive disruption in aquatic species. The study highlights trophic transfer, where microplastics move up the food chain, as a key pathway of human exposure.
Microplastics toxicity in aquatic animals
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This systematic review summarizes existing research on how microplastics harm aquatic animals across multiple species. The findings show microplastics can cause physical damage, oxidative stress, reproductive issues, and behavioral changes in fish, shellfish, and other water-dwelling creatures. Since many of these animals are part of the human food chain, their contamination represents an indirect health concern for people.
Microplastics Impact on Water and Aquatic Systems
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This review examines how microplastics enter and affect aquatic ecosystems, summarising evidence of their impacts on fish, invertebrates, and other organisms from accumulation of toxic additives and physical effects. Researchers conclude that microplastics pose growing risks to aquatic biodiversity and to human health through the seafood supply chain.
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.