Micro(nano)plastics as a vector of pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystem: Historical review and future trends

Pharmaceuticals can be adsorbed by microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the aquatic environment. The interaction between these emerging pollutants can induce several effects on environmental and human health. Thus, the current study aimed to summarize and discuss the literature on the interactions and ecotoxicity of MP/NPs with pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. A scientometric and systematic review was conducted, and the data were summarized and discussed. The historical analysis indicated that the first article on the interactive effects between MP/NPs and pharmaceuticals was published in 2016. Scientific production is emerging in fourteen countries. Several types of MP/NPs (n = 13) and pharmaceuticals (n = 65) were studied, while the toxicity was evaluated in 30 articles (37.04 %). The interaction of MP/NPs with several pharmaceutical groups was confirmed, mainly antibiotics. In general, results confirmed the Trojan horse effects and indicated that MP/NPs changed the bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity of pharmaceuticals. The data reviewed demonstrated that future studies under environmentally relevant conditions are necessary for a better understanding of the mechanisms of action and toxicity of pharmaceuticals adsorbed to MP/NPs, especially mixtures with NPs. This study confirms that MP/NPs can alter the bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity of pharmaceuticals in aquatic organisms, indicating their potential toxicological risk.