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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Rethinking material use in low-trophic aquaculture: A global review
ClearDeveloping the Use of Wool Rope within Aquaculture—A Systematic Review
This systematic review explores whether wool rope could replace plastic rope in seaweed aquaculture, reducing plastic pollution in marine environments. The research is directly relevant to microplastic concerns because conventional plastic ropes used in ocean farming gradually break down into microplastic particles that contaminate marine ecosystems and the seafood we eat.
Risk of aquaculture-derived microplastics in aquaculture areas: An overlooked issue or a non-issue?
This review examines aquaculture-derived microplastics from degrading fishing nets and foam buoys, finding they represent a significant but overlooked source of marine microplastic pollution with distinct environmental consequences compared to other sources.
Microplastics and their potential effects on the aquaculture systems: a critical review
This review examines the sources, distribution, and potential ecological effects of microplastics in aquaculture systems worldwide. Researchers found that microplastics enter aquaculture through feed, water intake, and atmospheric deposition, and can accumulate in farmed fish and shellfish tissues. The study highlights the need for monitoring programs and mitigation strategies to protect both aquaculture productivity and consumer safety from microplastic contamination.
Evaluating Pollution from Aquaculture Materials and Developing Sustainable Alternatives to Reduce Marine Environmental Impacts: A Case Study in Vietnam
Researchers assessed the status of marine pollution associated with aquaculture activities in Vietnam, with particular emphasis on plastic and microplastic contamination from aquaculture materials, and developed recommendations for more sustainable alternatives to reduce the environmental footprint of coastal aquaculture operations.
Occurrence and ecological impact of microplastics in aquaculture ecosystems
This review examines microplastic contamination specifically within aquaculture systems, which are an increasingly important source of protein for human diets worldwide. Researchers found that aquaculture environments accumulate microplastics from external sources like land-based waste and shipping, as well as from the plastic gear, equipment, and feed used in farming operations. The study raises concerns about food safety, as microplastics in farmed seafood represent a direct pathway of human exposure.
Circular and lower impact mussel and seaweed aquaculture by a shift towards bio‐based ropes
This review examines how shifting mussel and seaweed aquaculture from conventional plastic ropes to bio-based alternatives could reduce marine litter and microplastic generation. Bio-based ropes offer comparable functionality while providing better end-of-life options, including recycling and biodegradation. The transition would support circular economy principles and help reduce the aquaculture industry's contribution to ocean plastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution budget assessment of different integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (imta) systems
Researchers assessed the microplastic pollution budget of different integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems, evaluating how fragmentation and degradation of synthetic construction materials including ropes, infrastructure, and pipes generate microplastic emissions within both open and recirculating aquaculture operations.
Searching for SMART(er) solutions: A laboratory-assessment of microplastic release from aquaculture nets and ropes
Researchers tested aquaculture and fishing gear under simulated in-water abrasion to measure microplastic release rates under realistic operational conditions. The study found that net and rope materials shed substantial quantities of microplastics through routine mechanical wear.
Microplastics in aquaculture environments: Sources, pollution status, toxicity and potential as substrates for nitrogen-cycling microbiota
Researchers reviewed microplastic pollution in aquaculture systems, finding concentrations as high as 362 particles per liter in water and nearly 125,000 per kilogram in sediment, with microplastics accumulating in farmed fish and shellfish and potentially reaching humans through the food chain.
Microplastics in aquaculture systems: Occurrence, ecological threats and control strategies
This review summarizes how microplastics contaminate aquaculture systems through fishing gear, feed, and polluted water, and examines their effects on farmed aquatic species. Microplastics accumulate in farmed fish and shellfish, raising concerns about food safety for the millions of people who consume aquaculture products. The authors discuss removal strategies and call for better monitoring to protect both aquaculture sustainability and consumer health.
Microplastic pollution budget assessment of different integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (imta) systems
Researchers assessed the microplastic pollution budget of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems as part of the ASTRAL project, examining both microplastic release from synthetic materials used in aquaculture infrastructure — including ropes, pipes, and equipment — in open and recirculating systems and the contribution of marine-derived plastic sources. The study aimed to quantify the role of diverse aquaculture operations in local and global microplastic emissions, for which accurate estimates have remained unknown.
Aquaculture in the crossroad of microplastic contamination
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in three commercially important shellfish species -- oysters, clams, and mussels -- from aquaculture operations in different climate conditions. They found microplastics present in all species and at all sites, with polyester and polyethylene being the most common types. The study raises awareness that aquaculture practices and equipment may contribute to microplastic contamination in farmed seafood.
Threats of Microplastic Pollution on Aquaculture Activities in Indonesia
This review examined microplastic contamination in Indonesian aquaculture systems, including shrimp, fish, and seaweed farms. Microplastics were found in aquaculture environments and organisms throughout Indonesia, threatening both ecosystem health and seafood safety. The paper calls for better monitoring and management of plastic pollution in Indonesia's extensive aquaculture sector.
Microplastics in aquaculture environments: Current occurrence, adverse effects, ecological risk, and nature-based mitigation solutions
This review summarizes how microplastics contaminate aquaculture (fish and shellfish farming) environments through land-based plastic waste, shipping, and atmospheric deposition. The plastics can release harmful additives, attract other pollutants, and cause toxic effects in farmed seafood that ultimately reach human consumers. The authors propose nature-based solutions like biofilters and wetlands to reduce microplastic levels in aquaculture.
Observation of microplastics in mariculture water of Longjiao Bay, southeast China: Influence by human activities
A 9-month study of a shrimp mariculture farm in southeastern China found microplastic concentrations of 250–5,150 items/m³ in culture pond water, with seasonal variation and granules and fibers as dominant types — identifying aquaculture pond management practices as a driver of local MP levels.
Review of biodegradable materials for aquaculture nets: Environmental performance and potential to reduce marine plastic pollution.
Researchers reviewed advances in biodegradable polymer alternatives — including polyhydroxyalkanoates and starch-based blends — for aquaculture nets and ropes, finding promising mechanical stability and controlled biodegradation in field trials but identifying ongoing challenges in balancing operational durability with timely degradation and the absence of harmonized marine biodegradation standards.
Microplastic Pollution in Aquaculture: Challenges and Mitigation
This review addressed microplastic contamination in aquaculture systems, where plastic materials like netting and equipment contribute to environmental pollution. The study found that microplastics are absorbed into aquatic organisms' cells, tissues, and organs, disrupting physiological processes, and highlighted the need for urgent management strategies given the expected increase of microplastics in aquatic environments.
Spatio-temporal features of microplastics pollution in macroalgae growing in an important mariculture area, China
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in cultivated macroalgae from Haizhou Bay, a major mariculture area in China. They found that seaweed harvested during the culture period contained higher microplastic levels than during non-culture periods, with fibers making up over 90% of particles. The study suggests that aquaculture gear is a significant source of microplastic pollution, releasing an estimated 1,037 tons of plastic into the environment annually.
The contribution of aquaculture systems to global aquaculture production
This review examines how global aquaculture has grown since 2000 through better feeds, improved management, and intensification, and discusses the environmental challenges that remain. While not directly about microplastics, aquaculture environments are increasingly contaminated with plastic particles, which can accumulate in farmed fish and shellfish that millions of people depend on for food.
Aging processes and microplastic release behavior of aquaculture implements
Researchers studied how four types of plastic aquaculture equipment age and release microplastics under simulated marine conditions over 16 weeks. They found that PVC buoys released the most microplastic particles, followed by polypropylene cables, polyethylene nets, and PET buoys, with all materials developing increasingly rough surfaces, cracks, and oxygen-containing chemical groups during aging. The study provides guidance for selecting aquaculture materials that minimize microplastic pollution in marine environments.
Contribution of seaweed farming to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and microplastics pollution
Researchers reviewed how seaweed farming can help fight two major environmental problems: seaweed absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere without competing for agricultural land, and seaweed-derived polymers can be used to make biodegradable plastics that break down without generating persistent microplastics. Scaling up seaweed-based bioplastics remains limited by production costs, but the potential environmental benefits make further research worthwhile.
Degradation of plastic materials in the marine environment: A mussel farm as a case study for the development of alternative mussel nets
This study tested how different plastic materials used in mussel farming degrade after being submerged in seawater for up to three years. Some plastics remained intact while others broke down quickly, potentially releasing microplastics into the marine environment where mussels grow. The research is relevant to seafood safety because degrading plastic nets in mussel farms could be a source of microplastic contamination in the shellfish that people eat.
Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Aquaculture Environment
This review covers high-efficiency analytical methods for identifying and quantifying microplastics in aquaculture environments, addressing the growing concern that plastic products widely used in aquaculture operations are an underreported source of microplastic contamination.
Reining in plasticulture from land to sea: Pacific Northwest (USA) perspectives on agriculture and aquaculture
This review examines the history and environmental consequences of plasticulture—the use of plastics in agriculture and aquaculture—in the Pacific Northwest, documenting how plastic mulch films, nets, and equipment release microplastics and chemical additives into soil, water, and food. It discusses policy gaps and advocates for reduced plastic use across food production sectors.