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Potential Pathway and Hormonal Disrupting Capacity of Microplastic in a Coastal System
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Researchers investigated the trophic pathway of microplastic exposure in Monterey Bay by quantifying particles in seawater, northern anchovies, and common murres, while also measuring the estrogenic activity of plastic-associated chemicals using estrogen-receptor assays. The study aimed to link microplastic quantification with endocrine disruption potential across successive levels of a coastal marine food web.
Plastic pollution is resulting in a widespread crisis of plastic ingestion by marine species. Microplastic particles (smaller than 5 mm) are particularly concerning as they can remain in the digestive system and allowing for plastic-associated chemicals to desorb into tissue. Many of these hydrophobic additive chemicals are xenoestrogenic and can disrupt the endocrine system. We will investigate the potential pathway of microplastic exposure in a marine food web by quantifying microplastics in seawater, northern anchovies ( Engraulis mordax ), and common murres ( Uria aalge ) from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California. We hypothesize that i) microplastics will be present in seawater, prey fish, and seabirds with similar ratios of particle types (e.g., fibers versus beads), ii) recovered microplastic from seawater will have more hormonal disrupting activity than microplastics from fish or seabirds. Three promising techniques for microplastic quantification and estrogenicity will be tested: tissue digestion with 20% potassium hydroxide for extraction, and Raman spectroscopy for plastic validation, and the estrogen-receptor activation assay. To our knowledge, our study is the first to target ingested microplastics in common murres, first to measure estrogenic activity of plastic-associated chemicals extracted from ingested microplastic, and first to link the knowledge gaps of quantification and toxicity assessments of ingested microplastics while still using standardized methods.
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Growing Menace of Microplastics in and Around the Coastal Ecosystem
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Coastal ecosystems face escalating microplastic threats as particles accumulate in seawater, sediments, and the tissues of fish, dolphins, crabs, plankton, and benthic organisms, degrading water quality and disrupting food webs. The growing menace to coastal biodiversity underscores the urgency of reducing plastic inputs before irreversible harm is done to fisheries and ecosystems that billions of people depend on for food and livelihoods.
Microplastics in the Marine Ecosystems: Identification and Impacts
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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics, broken-down bits of everyday plastic waste, are showing up along India's coastlines, and this review paper rounds up what scientists have found so far. While research on their health effects is still catching up, these particles are known to persist in the environment and can enter the food chain through seafood, raising concerns about long-term exposure for coastal communities. The authors point out that India still needs a lot more research to fully understand how serious this problem is and what it means for people's health.
Review on Microplastic Pollution in Marine Ecosystems: Sources, Distribution, Ecological Impacts, and Future Directions
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Researchers synthesize current knowledge on microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems, documenting sources ranging from plastic waste breakdown to industrial activities, widespread distribution from ocean surface to seafloor, ingestion by marine organisms across trophic levels, and significant knowledge gaps including long-term ecological consequences and nanoplastic effects requiring standardized research methodologies.
The Effects of Microplastic Pollution on Marine Organisms and its Impact on Human Health: A Review
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics affect major marine taxa — from plankton to marine mammals — documenting impacts including reduced growth and reproduction, behavioral disruption, and inflammatory responses, while also assessing pathways through which MP-contaminated seafood and drinking water translate ocean pollution into risks for human 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.