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Sentinel species selection for monitoring microplastic pollution: A review on one health approach
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This review evaluates how sentinel species, organisms used as biological indicators, can be selected to monitor microplastic pollution across different environments using a One Health approach that connects ecosystem, animal, and human health. Researchers assessed various candidate species including mussels, fish, and birds based on their ability to accumulate and reflect microplastic contamination. The study provides a framework for choosing the most informative species to track plastic pollution's impact across interconnected ecosystems.
Nowadays, global environmental pollution is one of the most topical issues we have to deal with on a daily basis. Due to the development of the current society including industrial and agricultural areas, pollution and waste have increased dramatically in recent years. Among all contaminants spread worldwide, the increased use of plastic is probably the most evident. Nevertheless, plastic objects which are released into environmental com-partments are processed into smaller units of plastic debris, defined, based on their dimensions, as micro-(MP) and nano-plastics (NP). These particles are classified as some of the most hazardous current micro-pollutants. The use of model organisms as bioindicators is one of the most effective ways to monitor and assess the occurrence of plastic particles in the environment.This review aims to provide comprehensive knowledge about the behaviour and the effects of MP/NPs par-ticles on animals, humans, and the environment through the "One Health" concept, which provides an innovative and suitable perspective focused on the intersection of the above-mentioned three areas. Moreover, the key point is the evaluation of the most efficient bioindicators for monitoring microplastic pollution in environmental compartments, in order to better understand the importance of being more eco-friendly through the reduction of plastics objects.Whereas the earth is composed of about 70% water, a special focus is placed on aquatic ecosystems and the relative bioindicators. In addition, this collection of information highlights a common issue that requires awareness, prevention, and solutions to take care of global environments.
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