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Marine micro(nano)plastics toxicology: Knowledge gaps and perspectives.
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This review synthesized knowledge gaps and perspectives in marine micro(nano)plastic toxicology, identifying inadequately studied areas including long-term chronic effects, mixture toxicity, and impacts on deep-sea and polar marine biota. The authors called for standardized testing approaches to fill critical gaps and better predict real-world ecological risks.
Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) have emerged as pervasive contaminants widely documented across diverse environmental systems. Concerns regarding their environmental and human health impacts have escalated. Numerous studies have explored various aspects of the environmental toxicology of MNPs, particularly their effects on marine biota. However, significant knowledge gaps persist, hindering the ability to conduct effective environmental risk assessments for these plastic particles. This perspective highlights the critical aspects of MNPs' environmental toxicology that require advanced technological approaches to track and quantitatively reveal their subtle yet profound impacts. These aspects include ecological contexts extending beyond traditional toxicology, MNPs kinetics (uptake, transformation, and accumulation), modeling for simulating these processes under various scenarios, and identification of specific biomarkers associated with MNPs exposure. The establishment of environmental quality criteria for MNPs, if deemed necessary, will depend heavily on a comprehensive understanding of their behavior, toxicity, and ecological consequences. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of MNPs' environmental toxicology is essential for safeguarding both ecological integrity and human health in the face of this growing global challenge.
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