title: Microplastics in sediments: A review of techniques, occurrence and effects.
abstract: Microplastics are omnipresent in the marine environment and sediments are hypothesized to be major sinks of these plastics. Here, over 100 articles spanning the last 50 year are reviewed with following objectives: (i) to evaluate current microplastic extraction techniques, (ii) to discuss the occurrence and worldwide distribution of microplastics in sediments, and (iii) to make a comprehensive assessment of the possible adverse effects of this type of pollution to marine organisms. Based on this review we propose future research needs and conclude that there is a clear need for a standardized techniques, unified reporting units and more realistic effect assessments.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Jozef Plateaustraat 22, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: lisbeth.vancauwenberghe@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Cauwenberghe
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Animal Sciences Unit - Aquatic Environment and Quality, Ankerstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Devriese
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, LER/PAC, Bastia, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galgani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Animal Sciences Unit - Aquatic Environment and Quality, Ankerstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robbens
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Jozef Plateaustraat 22, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Colin R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Janssen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000187:drug effects*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010316:Particle Size; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics
keywords: Direct effects; Indirect effects; Microplastics; Pellets; Sediment; Techniques