Microplastic in Aquatic Ecosystems.
The contamination of marine and freshwater ecosystems with plastic, and especially with microplastic (MP), is a global ecological problem of increasing scientific concern. This has stimulated a great deal of research on the occurrence of MP, interaction of MP with chemical pollutants, the uptake of MP by aquatic organisms, and the resulting (negative) impact of MP. Herein, we review the major issues of MP in aquatic environments, with the principal aims 1) to characterize the methods applied for MP analysis (including sampling, processing, identification and quantification), indicate the most reliable techniques, and discuss the required further improvements; 2) to estimate the abundance of MP in marine/freshwater ecosystems and clarify the problems that hamper the comparability of such results; and 3) to summarize the existing literature on the uptake of MP by living organisms. Finally, we identify knowledge gaps, suggest possible strategies to assess environmental risks arising from MP, and discuss prospects to minimize MP abundance in aquatic ecosystems.
Institute of Hydrochemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
Natalia P
0000-0002-7685-5166
NP
Ivleva
Institute of Hydrochemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
Alexandra C
0000-0003-2330-5037
AC
Wiesheu
Institute of Hydrochemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
Reinhard
0000-0002-3781-0248
R
Niessner
D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
D010969:Plastics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
aquatic environments; microplastic; polymers; spectroscopic methods; waterborne pollutants