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Exploring interaction, uptake and impacts
Summary
This chapter reviewed current understanding of microplastic uptake by diverse organisms from unicellular species to megafauna, critically evaluating evidence for lethal and non-lethal effects across taxa. The review highlighted methodological considerations for assessing microplastic bioavailability and toxic effects on individual organisms across the animal kingdom.
Their small size, ubiquitous distribution and high abundance in the environment have increased the potential for microplastics to interact with plants, animals and fungi, with those organisms affected ranging from the unicellular to the true megafauna. Subsequently this acute exposures have been seen to result in a range of lethal and non-lethal effects. This chapter will establish our current understanding of microplastic uptake by biota and critically evaluate the literature regarding the known effect of microplastics on individual organisms, highlighting and evaluating the various methods by which these interactions and impacts were measured before presenting an idealised workflow for key taxa.