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Ingestion of Microplastics by Marine Animals
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This review examines microplastic ingestion by marine animals, assessing how the small size and ubiquity of microplastics in oceans leads to widespread consumption across species, with effects ranging from physical gut blockage to chemical toxicity at organism and ecosystem levels.
Over recent years, awareness of the ecological consequences of marine plastic debris has increased considerably. This chapter focuses on the ingestion of plastics. It defines harm within the ecotoxicological context of impacts on organisms and ecosystems. Owing to the small size of microplastics and their near ubiquitous presence throughout the marine environment, concern for marine life arises from their ingestion. The result of the microplastic exposure can lead to effects at different levels of biological functioning, including those on the individual, at site-specific target organs, on certain cell types, and even subcellular effects. To date, few studies have quantified the effects of microplastic pollution on ecosystem functioning. During production, chemicals are added to plastics to alter or improve their desired properties, such as plasticizers, flame-retardants, antimicrobial agents, or UV inhibitors. These additive chemicals can subsequently leach from the plastic into the environment or, if ingested, into organisms.
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Micro Plastics in The Marine Environment: A Review of Their Effects on Marine Organisms and Ecosystems
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This review examines the effects of microplastics on marine organisms and ecosystems, summarizing evidence for MP ingestion across trophic levels, physical and chemical harm to marine life, and the pathways through which marine MP pollution threatens biodiversity and fisheries.
Feasting on microplastics: ingestion by and effects on marine organisms
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This review synthesizes experimental studies on microplastic ingestion and effects across a wide range of marine organisms, finding evidence of physical harm, reproductive effects, and reduced feeding in multiple taxa. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the biological consequences of microplastic ingestion and identifies key knowledge gaps for future research.
Research progress on occurrence characteristic and toxicity of microplastics in marine organisms
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This review summarizes how microplastics are ingested, distributed, and cause harm in a wide range of marine organisms, including fish, invertebrates, and seabirds. The accumulation of microplastics in marine food webs is directly relevant to human health, as these particles can reach humans through seafood consumption.
Marine Microplastic Pollution
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This review examines microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems, summarizing the sources, distribution, and ecological effects of plastic particles in ocean environments and reviewing evidence for harm to marine organisms from physical ingestion and chemical exposure.
Effects of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystem
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This review summarized the growing evidence for microplastic pollution in marine environments worldwide, covering harm to marine organisms from both physical ingestion and co-transported chemical contaminants. The paper highlights the threat that microplastics and their associated pollutants pose to marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.