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Interactive effects of micro/nanoplastics and nanomaterials/pharmaceuticals: Their ecotoxicological consequences in the aquatic systems
Summary
Researchers reviewed how micro- and nanoplastics interact with co-occurring nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments, finding that plastics act as vectors that can either amplify or attenuate the bioavailability and toxicity of these contaminants depending on species, trophic level, and environmental conditions.
Micro/nanoplastics are ubiquitous in the environment and cause pollution of the aquatic ecosystem, in particular, which is a serious concern worldwide. Micro/nanoplastics can act as a vector for multiple co-contaminants that co-exist in the aquatic environment. Apart from micro/nanoplastics, nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals are other emerging contaminants that can also raise severe problems. Thus, in this review, the physicochemical interactions occurring between micro/nanoplastics and nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals and the factors (chemical and environmental) affecting the sorption efficiency of nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals have been addressed. Furthermore, the influence of micro/nanoplastics on the bioavailability and toxic effects of nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals on both freshwater and marine species has been highlighted. Additional focus has also been given to study the mechanism of toxicity of the micro/nanoplastics-nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals complex on the different species of different trophic levels. Finally, this review addresses the knowledge gaps and provides insights into the future research strategies to better understand the interactive mechanisms between the binary contaminants and also the toxicity mechanisms of micro/nanoplastics and nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals.