The ecotoxicological effects of microplastics on aquatic food web, from primary producer to human: A review

Abstract

The prevalence of microplastics in global waters raises the concern about their potential effects on aquatic biota. In aquatic environment, microplastics are almost ubiquitously present in all compartments from surface water to benthic sediment, making them accessible to a wide range of aquatic biota occupying different habitats. Exposure to microplastics may induce detrimental implications to the health of aquatic organisms. This review describes the wide occurrence of microplastics ingestion by aquatic fauna and evaluates the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics as well as the associated chemicals on aquatic biota including phytoplankton and fauna from both freshwater and marine environments. Trophic transfer of microplastics and associated contaminants along the aquatic food chain and potential impacts on human health are also discussed. Finally, this review emphasizes the current knowledge gaps and gives recommendations for the future work.

Keywords: Aquatic biota; Associated contaminants; Ecotoxicological effects; Human health; Microplastics.