2023Journal of Zoology and SystematicsOpen access

Effects of Microplastic Pollution on Marine Environment: a Mini Review

Zainab Riaz, Shakeela Parveen, Muhammad Tayyab, Urwah Ishaque, Saman Shabbir, Mehwish Sultana, Zunaira Faiz, Zainab Shafqat

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Abstract

Global awareness of microplastic contamination and its effects on the environment has grown. Plastics are resistant to breakdown and penetrate aquatic environments and are ultimately easily accessible to a wide range of aquatic animals and ultimately transported along the food web. Microplastics in cells and tissues have long-term consequences for marine organisms. A major factor in the spread of microplastics to the environment is their high adsorption capacity on the water surface. Microplastics and persistent organic pollutants interact to make the pollutants even more dangerous to living things. Microplastic pollution and its impact on the ecological environment have attracted worldwide attention. To effectively control microplastic pollution, there is a need to understand how Microplastics affect the ecological environment. This review discusses the formation, transfer and distribution of Micro plastics and the current physical, chemical and biological impacts on the environment. It is crucial to prevent plastic additives' overuse and enact laws and regulations to control plastic waste on account of the current threats posed by Microplastics to marine life and human health. We can eliminate marine litter by establishing plastic recycling schemes in the future or by promoting plastic awareness programs through both social and informational media.

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Global awareness of microplastic contamination and its effects on the environment has grown. Plastics are resistant to breakdown and penetrate aquatic environments and are ultimately easily accessible to a wide range of aquatic animals and ultimately transported along the food web. Microplastics in cells and tissues have long-term consequences for marine organisms. A major factor in the spread of microplastics to the environment is their high adsorption capacity on the water surface. Microplastics and persistent organic pollutants interact to make the pollutants even more dangerous to living things. Microplastic pollution and its impact on the ecological environment have attracted worldwide attention. To effectively control microplastic pollution, there is a need to understand how Microplastics affect the ecological environment. This review discusses the formation, transfer and distribution of Micro plastics and the current physical, chemical and biological impacts on the environment. It is crucial to prevent plastic additives' overuse and enact laws and regulations to control plastic waste on account of the current threats posed by Microplastics to marine life and human health. We can eliminate marine litter by establishing plastic recycling schemes in the future or by promoting plastic awareness programs through both social and informational media.

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Available abstract

Global awareness of microplastic contamination and its effects on the environment has grown. Plastics are resistant to breakdown and penetrate aquatic environments and are ultimately easily accessible to a wide range of aquatic animals and ultimately transported along the food web. Microplastics in cells and tissues have long-term consequences for marine organisms. A major factor in the spread of microplastics to the environment is their high adsorption capacity on the water surface. Microplastics and persistent organic pollutants interact to make the pollutants even more dangerous to living things. Microplastic pollution and its impact on the ecological environment have attracted worldwide attention. To effectively control microplastic pollution, there is a need to understand how Microplastics affect the ecological environment. This review discusses the formation, transfer and distribution of Micro plastics and the current physical, chemical and biological impacts on the environment. It is crucial to prevent plastic additives' overuse and enact laws and regulations to control plastic waste on account of the current threats posed by Microplastics to marine life and human health. We can eliminate marine litter by establishing plastic recycling schemes in the future or by promoting plastic awareness programs through both social and informational media.

Key concepts: Microplastics, Plastic pollution, Pollutant, Pollution, Environmental science, Marine debris, Marine life, Aquatic environment

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