Water Environment Research,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
97(2)
Published: Feb. 1, 2025
The
widespread
presence
of
plastic
debris
in
marine
ecosystems
was
first
highlighted
as
a
serious
concern
the
United
Nations
Convention
on
Law
Sea
(UNCLOS)
and
1972
London
Convention.
This
realization
identified
pollution
one
major
global
environmental
issues.
Majorities
are
neither
recycled
nor
incinerated,
result,
it
eventually
makes
its
way
into
lakes,
rivers,
oceans.
Analysis
water
sediment
worldwide
indicates
that
microplastics
nanoplastic
ubiquitous
soils,
freshwater,
ecosystems.
Microplastic
nanoplastics
distributed
throughout
environments
via
processes
such
biofouling
chemical
leaching,
contaminating
both
pelagic
benthic
species.
Despite
growing
recognition
hazards
posed
by
nanoplastics,
regulatory
efforts
remain
hampered
limited
understanding
their
broader
ecological
impacts,
particularly
how
diverse
factors
translate
population
declines
ecosystem
disruptions.
review
examines
pathways
microplastic
pollution,
interactions
with
other
stressors
climate
change
effects
food
webs.
highlights
urgent
need
for
further
research
behavior
fate
which
degradation
product
microplastics,
owing
to
nano
size
they
pose
additional
risks,
unique
properties,
potential
impacts.
Studies
have
demonstrated
smaller
more
toxic
than
larger
microplastics.
Additionally,
serve
vectors
contaminants
heavy
metals,
exacerbating
toxicity.
They
also
translocate
through
chains,
posing
health
risks.
While
evidence
impact
continues
grow,
chronic
toxicity
remains
poorly
understood,
emphasizing
research,
at
cellular
level,
fully
understand
human
health.
concludes
call
standardized
measurement
methods,
effective
mitigation
strategies,
enhanced
international
cooperation
combat
this
escalating
threat.
Future
should
prioritize
complex
between
pollutants,
ecosystems,
ultimate
goal
developing
holistic
approaches
manage
mitigate
pollution.
PRACTITIONER
POINTS:
Microplastic/nanoplastic
webs,
affecting
species
Nanoplastics
Nanoplastic
aggregation
influences
distribution
interactions.
focus
behavior,
transport,
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
19(11), P. 6773 - 6773
Published: June 1, 2022
The
relationship
between
humans
and
plastics
has
become
intricate
due
to
their
versatile
nature
low
production
cost.
Plastics
generation
surpassed
that
of
other
manufactured
products,
which,
coupled
with
the
prevailing
poor
waste
management
systems,
makes
it
a
serious
problem
for
terrestrial
aquatic
environments
as
its
final
destination.
Their
extensive
presence
continued
pose
significant
threat,
not
only
ecosystem
but
also
approximately
3
billion
people
relying
on
livelihood.
Even
more
disturbing
were
recent
findings
these
in
food
drinking
water
evidence
human
exposure,
long-term
health
effects
which
are
largely
unknown.
This
ubiquitous
phenomenon
over
time
put
under
critical
observation,
leading
development
many
local
international
policies,
resolutions,
directives
aimed
at
addressing
reversing
menace.
review
provided
first
snapshot
global
governance
strategies
currently
mitigating
plastic
pollution,
limitations,
future
directions.
revealed
several
aspects
microplastics
(MPs)
pollution
be
overlooked
policy
formulation,
laxity
implementation,
an
apparent
lack
indices
ascertain
impact
regulations.
Furthermore,
there
is
no
regulation
MPs
contamination
funding
research
into
alternatives.
This,
therefore,
necessitates
need
well-coordinated
approach
national
levels
scale
up
policies
all
countries
translate
them
from
paper
measurable,
holistic,
realizable
actions
will
address
forms
pollution.
Ecological Indicators,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
155, P. 111058 - 111058
Published: Oct. 7, 2023
Microplastics
(MPs),
which
are
small
plastic
particles
measuring
less
than
5
mm
in
size,
have
emerged
as
a
significant
environmental
concern
marine
ecosystems
worldwide.
The
presence
of
MPs
aquatic
environments
has
increased
due
to
the
contributions
from
anthropogenic
and
terrestrial
sources,
raising
concerns
about
their
abundance
organisms.
primarily
originate
photo-degradation
larger
debris
(macroplastics),
with
release
into
environment
often
occurring
through
breakdown
additive
compounds.
ingestion
poses
eco-toxicological
risks
organisms,
causing
damage
gastrointestinal
(GI)
tracts
stomachs
affected
Approximately
80
%
can
be
classified
either
primary
such
those
generated
during
production
skincare
products,
tires,
use
carriers
for
pharmaceutical
or
secondary
sources
resulting
improper
disposal
plastics
near
coastal
areas
water
bodies.
issue
potential
effects
on
ecosystem
demands
attention.
In
conclusion,
this
review
provides
comprehensive
overview
vulnerability
microplastics
environments,
consolidating
current
understanding
distribution,
fate,
ecological
impacts.
It
emphasizes
urgent
need
ongoing
research
proactive
measures
mitigate
long-term
consequences
microplastic
pollution
essential
services
they
provide.
