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Nanoplastic occurrence, transformation and toxicity: a review
Summary
Researchers reviewed the environmental fate and biological toxicity of nanoplastics, finding that these sub-micron particles weather, aggregate, and accumulate contaminants in aquatic environments, and that ingestion by microbes, algae, invertebrates, and fish disrupts growth, reproduction, and behavior.
Nanoplastics are emerging contaminants of concern for living organisms and ecosystems, yet nanoplastics are difficult to extract and analyse. Once released into the environment, the fate and behavior of nanoplastics are controlled by physical, chemical, and biological factors. Here, we review nanoplastics weathering, aggregation, biofouling, and bioavailability. Nanoplastics adsorb and transport metals and organic contaminants. Ingestion of nanoplastics by aquatic organims such as microbes, algae, invertebrates, and fish, induces toxicological effects on organism growth, behavior, and reproduction.