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Microplastics in de Belgische Noordzee: Een sluipend gevaar voor de mariene fauna en ecosystemen?
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This report reviewed evidence that microplastics in the Belgian North Sea pose a significant threat to marine fauna, drawing on hundreds of publications documenting plastic interactions with marine species. The work highlights the urgency of addressing marine plastic pollution given that 92% of individual organism encounters with sea litter involve plastics.
De plasticvervuiling van de oceanen wordt door het Milieuprogramma van de Verenigde Naties aangestipt als een van de meest urgente milieuproblemen. In 340 originele publicaties wordt melding gemaakt van 693 mariene soorten die op een of andere manier in aanraking zijn gekomen met zeeafval. 92% van de aanrakingen van individuele organismen met dit zeeafval waren aanrakingen met plastic. 17% van deze soorten staat op de IUCN Rode Lijst van bedreigde soorten aangemerkt als bijna bedreigd, kwetsbaar, bedreigd of ernstig bedreigd. Beelden van zeehonden die verstrengeld zijn geraakt in plastic zijn bekend, ook het opeten van plastic door zeevogels. Hierbij gaat het voornamelijk om macroplastics: grote stukken plastic, zoals stukken van visnetten, vislijnen, zakken of flessen. Sinds 2004 tonen wetenschappers echter een verhoogde belangstelling voor de problematiek van de aanwezigheid van microplastics in de oceanen. Maar: wat zijn microplastics precies? En vooral: wat is de impact ervan op de fauna en ecosystemen van de Belgische Noordzee?
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Microplastics: minuscule partikels met grote gevolgen?
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This Dutch review examined the sources, environmental distribution, and potential health effects of microplastics in marine ecosystems, covering both physical effects from particle ingestion and chemical risks from toxic substances associated with plastic particles. The review highlights how microplastics combine physical and chemical hazards that complicate risk assessment for marine organisms.
Microplastics: Minuscule Particles with Big Consequences?
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This Dutch-language review summarized the presence and effects of microplastics in marine environments, covering entry pathways, distribution in sediments and water, and known biological effects on marine organisms. It serves as an accessible summary of microplastic science for Dutch-speaking audiences.
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.
Occurrence, Fate, and Biodegradation of Microplastics in Marine Environments
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics — synthetic polymer fragments smaller than 5mm — spread through marine environments, persist over long periods, and undergo partial biodegradation. The widespread distribution of these particles in oceans raises ongoing concerns about their effects on marine life and the humans who eat seafood.
Micro- and Nanoplastics—Impact on Marine Vertebrates and Invertebrates
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Researchers reviewed the impact of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on marine vertebrates and invertebrates, finding widespread evidence of ingestion, tissue accumulation, and physiological harm across species, with implications for marine ecosystem health and human consumers of seafood.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.