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Microplastics in aquatic systems: A review of occurrence, monitoring and potential environmental risks
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Researchers review the presence of microplastics — tiny plastic fragments less than 5 mm — across freshwater and marine environments worldwide, finding that polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene are the most commonly detected types. Exposure disrupts feeding, movement, and reproduction in aquatic wildlife, and the authors call for standardized measurement methods and legal limits to protect ecosystems.
Plastic particles of microscopic scale are present in the aquatic environment, especially at lower trophic trophic levels where the number of microplastics (MPs) ingested per gram wet weight is greater than in higher trophic levels. The presence of microplastics (MPs) in water bodies is caused by anthropogenic activities and waste disposal negligence such as disposal waste, disposal waters, industry, agriculture, fishing, ship traffic, and environmental factors, which have been monitored in remote locations by bioindicators and tracking tools such as numerical modeling and life cycle inventories. Our review process shows that more studies are conducted in the northern hemisphere, and most of the analyzed MPs are either Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), or Polystyrene (PS). Moreover, several papers report potential adverse effects on the biota can be disturbances in feeding, mobility, and reproduction that may cause lethal or sub-lethal consequences. Thus, to reduce the environmental impact and the effects on species exposed to microplastic particles we suggest research that helps in the establishment of limits of occurrence of these materials according to their physical-chemical properties, uniform measuring standards, and their toxicity to the environment to promote legislation for the control and mitigation this contamination.
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