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How microplastics influence the health and microbiota of aquatic invertebrates: A review
Summary
This review examines how microplastics affect the health and microbiota of aquatic invertebrates, an area that has received less attention than fish studies. Researchers summarize evidence showing that microplastics cause toxicity at biological and molecular levels, alter microbial communities associated with invertebrate hosts, and interact with climate change and other pollutants to produce combined effects. The study highlights significant knowledge gaps and proposes future research directions for understanding microplastic impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
Concern about microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems, and their hazardous effects on aquatic organisms and microbiota in particular, is growing globally. Previous reviews focused on the impact of MPs on biological responses and microbial alterations in fish. The impacts of MPs on other aquatic organisms (mainly invertebrates) remain poorly understood. This review concentrates on the effects of MPs on aquatic organisms other than fish. First, we describe an important microscopic ecosystem associated with MPs and its function in aquatic systems. Second, we elucidate the latest trends in relevant research and experimental designs. We also discuss the toxicity of MPs in various biological and molecular responses, microbial changes, and the relationship between host health and microbiota in aquatic organisms. Last, we examine the combined effects of MPs, climate change, and pollutants on microbiota and hosts. This review provides an overall research background for MPs and microbiota in aquatic ecosystems and suggests future research directions.