Navigating the nexus: climate dynamics and microplastics pollution in coastal ecosystems

Afzal Ahmed Dar; Zhi Chen; Muhammad Fahad Sardar; Chunjiang An

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2024.118971

Navigating the nexus: climate dynamics and microplastics pollution in coastal ecosystems

Environ Res. 2024 Apr 19;252(Pt 3):118971. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118971. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Afzal Ahmed Dar¹, Zhi Chen², Muhammad Fahad Sardar³, Chunjiang An¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada.
² Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada. Electronic address: zhi.chen@concordia.ca.
³ School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.

PMID: 38642636
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118971

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is an emerging environmental health concern, impacting soil, plants, animals, and humans through their entry into the food chain via bioaccumulation. Human activities such as improper solid waste dumping are significant sources that ultimately transport MPs into the water bodies of the coastal areas. Moreover, there is a complex interplay between the coastal climate dynamics, environmental factors, the burgeoning issue of MPs pollution and the complex web of coastal pollution. We embark on a comprehensive journey, synthesizing the latest research across multiple disciplines to provide a holistic understanding of how these inter-connected factors shape and reshape the coastal ecosystems. The comprehensive review also explores the impact of the current climatic patterns on coastal regions, the intricate pathways through which MPs can infiltrate marine environments, and the cascading effects of coastal pollution on ecosystems and human societies in terms of health and socio-economic impacts in coastal regions. The novelty of this review concludes the changes in climate patterns have crucial effects on coastal regions, proceeding MPs as more prevalent, deteriorating coastal ecosystems, and hastening the transfer of MPs. The continuous rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and strong storms result in habitat loss, decline in biodiversity, and economic repercussion. Feedback mechanisms intensify pollution effects, underlying the urgent demand for environmental conservation contribution. In addition, the complex interaction between human, industry, and biodiversity demanding cutting edge strategies, innovative approaches such as remote sensing with artificial intelligence for monitoring, biobased remediation techniques, global cooperation in governance, policies to lessen the negative socioeconomic and environmental effects of coastal pollution.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation; Climate change; Coastal climate; Food chain; Microplastics; Ocean acidification.

Publication types

Review