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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Marine & Wildlife Remediation Sign in to save

Microplastics and their fate in Marine Environment: A review

Journal of the University of Ruhuna 2019 1 citation ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Nishantha Kalutharage

Summary

This review summarizes the sources, fate, and environmental impacts of microplastics in the marine environment, covering both primary microplastics (manufactured at small size) and secondary microplastics (formed by fragmentation). It highlights the ability of microplastics to adsorb persistent organic pollutants and enter marine food webs.

Microplastic (MP) is a collective term to describe a heterogeneous mixture of plastic particles ranging in size from a few microns to several millimetres in diameter. MPs are pollutants threatening the marine environment globally. Plastics released to the environment, over time, will be exposed to weathering, sunlight, and mechanical degradation, large plastics will become brittle and break down into secondary microplastic or MPs can be released directly from cosmetics and personal care products. These MPs are composed of several plastic types and can be affected on marine environment (primary MP), not only by itself but also by accumulating other pollutants such as heavy metals and organic pollutants.

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