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Animals and Microplastics
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This chapter reviews the wide range of animals known to ingest microplastics across terrestrial and aquatic environments, examining exposure pathways, habitat characteristics, and interactions that lead to plastic uptake. The review synthesizes evidence that microplastic ingestion is widespread across taxonomic groups and ecosystems globally.
Microplastics are now ubiquitous in the environment and are increasingly reported in biota across the globe. This chapter provides an overview of the animals known to ingest microplastics, and highlights organism interactions and habitat exposures leading to microplastic uptake. Many animals ingest microplastics, therefore supporting the likelihood that microplastics undergo trophic transfer. Species that breed or congregate in high densities may also act as microplastic concentrators in the environment. Furthermore, migratory animals may influence the fate and transport of microplastics by transporting microplastics across ecosystem boundaries, therefore facilitating exposure to microplastics in relatively remote regions. Although both abiotic and biotic processes impact the extent to which microplastic exposure and resulting hazard may be characterized, understanding predator-prey relationships and how trophic transfer may result in greater exposure are important to consider as we monitor, and attempt to mitigate effects of, plastic pollution in the environment.
More Papers Like This
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.
Animal exposure to microplastics and health effects: A review
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Researchers reviewed how microplastic exposure affects animals across terrestrial and aquatic environments, finding that species suffer physical harm, chemical contamination from pollutants that stick to plastic surfaces, inflammation, and behavioral changes. Because microplastics accumulate up the food chain, the review warns that animals entering the human food supply may carry these particles into our bodies.
Exploring interaction, uptake and impacts
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This chapter reviewed current understanding of microplastic uptake by diverse organisms from unicellular species to megafauna, critically evaluating evidence for lethal and non-lethal effects across taxa. The review highlighted methodological considerations for assessing microplastic bioavailability and toxic effects on individual organisms across the animal kingdom.
Microplastics in the Environment: Uptake, Bioaccumulation and Impacts on Plants, Animals and Humans Health: A Review
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This review examines microplastic uptake, bioaccumulation, and health impacts across plants, animals, and humans. The study summarizes current evidence on how microplastic particles smaller than 5 mm have been detected in all environmental compartments and are entering biological systems through multiple exposure pathways.
Investigations into the Roles of Organisms on Environmental Plastic Pollution
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This thesis investigated the roles of organisms in environmental plastic pollution, examining how marine and freshwater animals ingest microplastics and how they may transfer them through food webs. The work contributes to understanding the ecological consequences of plastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
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.