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Inclusive Assessment of Micro/Nanoplastics Biological Effects Across Primary Producers, Consumers, and Humans
Summary
This comprehensive review synthesized microplastic and nanoplastic biological effects across the full spectrum of life—from microbes and plants to aquatic animals and humans—documenting conserved stress responses like oxidative damage, cell membrane disruption, and cascading impacts on ecosystem nutrient cycling. It highlights that smaller nanoplastics are particularly hazardous, bioaccumulate through food chains, and are increasingly linked to human inflammatory disorders and potential carcinogenic risks.
The widespread contamination of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in global ecosystems poses severe environmental and public health risks due to their trophic transfer potential and multifaceted bio-effects. This review provides an inclusive synthesis of MNP-induced biological effects across the entire biological hierarchy—from microbial communities, plants, and aquatic/terrestrial fauna to humans—focusing on recent advances (2017–2024). Its innovation lies in three aspects: cross-hierarchy integration connecting cellular/molecular effects (e.g., oxidative stress) to ecosystem impacts (e.g., nutrient cycling disturbance); clarification of mechanistic links between conserved responses and taxon-specific effects; and comprehensive synthesis of physicochemical properties’ (type, size, aging) regulatory role in bio-effects. Studies on model organisms show MNPs trigger biological responses (e.g., oxidative stress (ROS overproduction), cell membrane damage, and shifts in microbial community structure) via conserved and taxon-specific mechanisms. These responses further lead to toxicity (e.g., cellular abnormalities, tissue/organ damage) in organisms, and the cumulative bio-effects of MNPs cascade from impaired individual fitness to disrupted population dynamics and ecosystem functions (e.g., nutrient cycling disturbance). Critically, MNPs bioaccumulate through food chains, with human exposure linked to inflammatory disorders and potential carcinogenic risks. Smaller NPs generally exert more severe impacts due to enhanced bioavailability. Future research should prioritize: (1) long-term toxicity under environmentally relevant concentrations; (2) synergistic interactions with co-pollutants; (3) validation of pivotal biomarkers linking cellular responses to ecosystem impacts. Addressing these will enable targeted risk mitigation strategies for plastic pollution-related health and ecological issues. Overview of the biological effects of micro- and nanoplastics on organisms at different levels