Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics in the environment has drawn the attention of ecotoxicologists on its safety and toxicity. Sources of microplastics in the environment include disintegration of larger plastic items (secondary microplastics), personal care products like liquid soap, exfoliating scrubbers, and cleaning supplies etc. Indiscriminate usage of plastics and its poor waste disposal management pose serious concern on ecosystem quality at global level. The present review focused on the ecological impact of microplastics on biota at different trophic levels, its uptake, accumulation, and excretion etc., and its plausible mechanistic toxicity with risk assessment approaches. Existing scientific evidence shows that microplastics exposure triggers a wide variety of toxic insult from feeding disruption to reproductive performance, physical ingestion, disturbances in energy metabolism, changes in liver physiology, synergistic and/ or antagonistic action of other hydrophobic organic contaminants etc. from lower to higher trophics. Thus, microplastic accumulation and its associated adverse effects make it mandatory to go in for risk assessment and legislative action. Subsequent research priorities, agenda, and key issues to be addressed are also acknowledged in the present review.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alomara C, Sureda A, Capó X, Guijarro B, Tejada S, Deudero S (2017) Microplastic ingestion by Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 fish and its potential for causing oxidative stress. Environ Res 159:135–142
Avio CG, Gorbi S, Milan M, Benedetti M, Fattorini D, d'Errico G, Pauletto M, Bargelloni L, Regoli F (2015) Pollutants bioavailability and toxicological risk from microplastics to marine mussels. Environ Pollut 198:211–222
Barnes DKA, Galgani F, Thompson RC, Barlaz M (2009) Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments. Philos Trans Royal Soc B: Biol Sci 364:1985–1998
Batel A, Linti F, Scherer M, Erdinger L, Braunbeck T (2016) Transfer of benzo[a]pyrene from microplastics to artemia nauplii and further to zebrafish via a trophic food web experiment: cyp1a induction and visual tracking of persistent organic pollutants. Environ Toxicol Chem 35:1656–1666
Beer S, Garm A, Huwer B, Dierking J, Nielsen, TG (2018) No increase in marine microplastic concentration over the last three decades–A case study from the Baltic Sea. Sci. Total. Environ. 621: 1272–1279.
Besseling E, Wegne A, Foekema EM, VandenHeuvel-Greve MU, Koelmans AA (2013) Effects of microplastics on fitness and PCB bioaccumulation by the lugworm Arenicola marina (L.). Environ Sci Technol 42:5026–5031
Besseling E, Wang B, Lürling M, Koelmans AA (2014) Nanoplastic affects growth of S. obliquus and reproduction of D. magna. Environ. Sci. Technol. 48(20):12336–43
Betts K (2008) Why small plastic particles may pose a big problem in the oceans. Environ Sci Technol 42:8995
Bhattacharya P, Lin S, Turner JP, Ke PC (2010) Physical adsorption of charged plastic nanoparticles affects algal photosynthesis. J Phys Chem C 114:16556–16561
Blair RM, Waldron S, Phoenix V, Gauchotte-Lindsay C (2017) Micro- and nanoplastic pollution of freshwater and wastewater treatment systems. Springer Science Reviews 5:19–30.
Boerger CM, Lathin GC, Moore SL, Moore CJ (2010) Plastic ingestion by planktivorous fishes in the North Pacific central gyre. Mar Pollut Bull 60:2275–2278
Browne MA, Dissanayake A, Galloway TS, Lowe DM, Thompson RC (2008) Ingested microscopic plastic translocates to the circulatory system of the mussel, Mytilusedulis (L.). Environ Sci Technol 42:5026–5031
Browne MA, Crump P, Niven SJ, Teuten EL, Tonkin A, Gallowa T, Thompson RC (2011) Accumulations of microplastic on shorelines worldwide: sources and sinks. Environ Sci Technol 45:9175–9179
Browne MA, Niven SJ, Galloway TS, Rowland SJ, Thompson RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms, reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity. Curr Biol 23:2388–2392
Campbell SH, Williamson PR, Halla BD (2017) Microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish and the water from an urban prairie creek. FACETS 2:395–409. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2017-0008
Castaneda RA, Avlijas S, Simard MA, Ricciardi A (2014) Microplastic pollution in St. Lawrence River sediments. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 71:1767–1771
Cole M, Lindeque P, Fileman E, Halsband C, Goodhead R, Moger J, Galloway TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton. Environ Sci Technol 47:6646–6655
Cole M, Lindeque P, Fileman E, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2015) The impact of polystyrene microplastics on feeding, function and fecundity in the marine copepod Calanus helgolandicus. Environ Sci Technol 49:1130–1137
Cózar A, Echevarría F, González-Gordillo JI, Irigoien X, Ubeda B, Hernández-León S, Palma AT, Navarro S, García-de-Lomas J, Ruiz A, Fernández-de-Puelles ML, Duarte CM (2014) Plastic debris in the open ocean. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111(28):10239–10244
Da Costa JP, Santos PSM, Duarte AC, Rocha-Santos T (2016) (Nano) plastics in the environment – sources, fates and effects. Sci Total Envt 566–567:15–26
Dantas DV, Barletta M, Costa MF (2012) The seasonal and spatial patterns of ingestion of polyfilament nylon fragments by estuarine drums (Sciaenidae). Environ Sci Poll Res 19:600–606
Davarpanah E, Guilhermino L (2015) Single and combined effects of microplastics and copper on the population growth of the marine microalgae Tetraselmis chuii. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 167:269–275
Davison P, Asch RG (2011) Plastic ingestion by mesopelagic fishes in the North Pacific subtropical gyre. Mar Ecol Pro Ser 432:173–180
de Sá LC, Luís LG, Guilhermino L (2015) Effects of microplastics on juveniles of the common goby (Pomatoschistusmicrops): confusion with prey, reduction of the predatory performance and efficiency,and possible influence of developmental conditions. Environ Pollut 196:359–362
Deng Y, Zhnag Y, Lemos B, Ren H (2017) Tissue accumulation of microplastics in mice and biomarker responses suggest widespread health risks of exposure. Sci Rep 7:46687. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46687
Derraik JGB (2002) The pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: a review. Mar Pollut Bull 44(9):842–852
Dris R, Imhof H, Sanchez W, Gasperi J, Galgani F, Tassin B, Laforsch C (2015) Beyond the ocean: contamination of freshwater ecosystems with (micro-) plastic particles. Environ Chem 32:539. https://doi.org/10.1071/EN14172
Duis K, Coors A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment: sources (with a specific focus on personal care products), fate and effects. Envt Sci Eur 28(2):1–25
Eckert EM, Cesare AD, Kettner MT, Arias-Andres M, Fntaneto D, Grossart H-P, Corno G (2018) Microplastics increase impact of treated wastewater on freshwater microbial community. Envtl. Pollu. 234:495–502
Eerkes-Medrano D, Thompson RC, Aldridge DC (2015) Microplastics in freshwater systems: a review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs. Water Res 75:63–82
Eriksen M, Maximenko N, Thiel M, Cumminsa A, Lattin G, Wilson S, Hafner J, Zellers A, Rifman S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre. Mar Pollut Bull 68:71–76
Eriksson C, Burton H (2003) Origins and biological accumulation of small plastic particles in fur seals from Macquarine Island. Ambio 32:380–384
Espinosa C, Beltran JMG, Esteban MA, Cuesta A (2018) In vitro effects of virgin microplastics on fish head-kidney leucocyte activities. Environ.Pollut 235:30–38
Essel R, Engel R, Carus M (2015) Sources of microplastics relevant to marine protection in Germany. Texte 64/2015. Dessau-Roßlau: German Federal Environment Agency
European Commission (2013) Guidance on monitoring of marine litter in European seas. A guidance document within the common implementation strategy for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, MSFD Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter, Ispra
Farrell P, Nelson K (2013) Trophic level transfer of microplastics: Mytilusedulis (L.) to Carcinusmaenas (L.). Environ Pollut 177:1–3
Faure F, Corbaz M, Baecher H, de Alencastro L (2012) Pollution due to plastics and microplastics in Lake Geneva and in the Mediterranean Sea. Arch Des Sci 65:157–164
Ferreira P, Fontea E, Soares ME, Carvalho F, Guilhermino L (2016) Effects of multi-stressors on juveniles of the marine fish Pomatoschistus microps: gold nanoparticles, microplastics and temperature. Aquat Toxicol 170:89–103
Fonte E, Ferreira P, Guilhermino L (2016) Temperature rise and microplastics interact with the toxicity of theantibiotic cefalexin to juveniles of the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps): post-exposure predatory behaviour, acetylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidation. Aquat Toxicol 180:173–185
Fossi MC, Panti C, Guerranti C, Coppola D, Giannetti M (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaeno pteraphysalus). Mar Pollut Bull 64:2374–2379
Fossi MC, Coppola D, Baini M, Giannetti M, Guerranti C (2014) Larger filter feeding marine organisms as indicators of microplastics in the pelagic environment: the case studies of the Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale (Balaeno pteraphysalus). Mar Envtl Res 100:17–24
Free CM, Jensen OP, Mason SA, Erksen M, Williamson NJ, Boldgiv B (2014) High-levels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake. Mar Pollut Bull 85:156–163
Gajendiran A, Krishnamoorthy S, Abraham J (2016) Microbial degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by aspergillus clavatus strain JASK1 isolated from landfill soil. 3. Biotech 6(1):1–6
Gandara e Silva PP, Nobre CR, Resaffe P, Pereira CDS, Gusmao F (2016) Leachate from microplastics impairs larval development in brown mussels. Water Res 106:364–370
GESAMP (2015) Sources, fate and effects of microplastics in the marine environment: a global assessment. Reports and Studies 90. London: IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/UNIDO/WMO/IAEA/UN/UNEP/UNDP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection
Gigault J, Baudrimont M, Pascal P, Gauffre F, Phi T, El Hadri H, Grassl B, Reynaud S (2018) Current opinion: what is a nanoplastic? Environ Pollut 235:1030–1034
Goldstein MC, Goodwin DS (2013) Gooseneck barnacles (Lepas spp.) ingest microplastic debris in the north pacific subtropical gyre. Peer J 1:e184
Goldstein MC, Rosenberg M, Cheng L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect. Biol Lett 8:817–820
Gouin T, Roche N, Lohmnan R, Hodges G (2011) A thermodynamic approach for assessing the environmental exposure of chemicals absorbed to micro-plastic. Environ Sci Technol 45:1466–1472
Graham E, Thompson J (2009) Deposit- and suspension-feeding sea cucumbers (Echinodermata) ingest plastic fragments. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 368:22–29
Green DS (2016) Effects of microplastics on European flat oysters, Ostrea edulis and their associated benthic communities. Environ Pollut 216:95–103
Green DS, Boots B, Blockley DJ, Rocha C, Thampson RC (2015) Impacts of discarded plastic bags on marine assemblages and ecosystem functioning. Environ Sci Technol 49(9):5380–5389
Gregory MR (1977) Plastic pellets on NewZealand beaches. Mar Pollut Bull 8:82–84
Gregory MR (1978) Accumulation and distribution of virgin plastic granules on New Zealand beaches. J Mar Fresh Res 12:399–414
Gregory MR (1996) Plastic ‘scrubbers’ in hand cleansers: a further (and minor) source for marine pollution identified. Mar Pollut Bull 32:867–871
Gregory MR, Andrady AL (2003) Plastics in the marine environment. In: Andrady, Anthony L (eds) Plastics and the Environment. John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken ISBN 0–471–09520-6
Hahladakis JN, Velis CA, Weber R, Iacovidou E, Purnell P (2018) An overview of chemical additives present in plastics: migration, release, fate and environmental impact during their use, disposal and recycling. J Hazard Mater 344:179–199
Holm P, Schulz G, Athanasopulu K (2013) Meeresverschmutzung der neuen Art: Mikroplastik—ein unsichtbarer Störenfried. Biol Unserer Zeit 43(1):27–33
Horton AA, Walton A, Spurgeon DJ, Lahive E, Svendsen C (2017) Microplastics in freshwater and terrestrial environments: evaluating the current understanding to identify the knowledge gaps and future research priorities. Sci Total Environ 586:127–141
House of Commons (HC) (2016) Environmental audit committee: environmental impact of microplastics. Fourth Report of Session 2016-2017:1–42
Imhof HK, Ivleva NP, Schmid J, Niessner R, Laforsch C (2013) Contamination of beach sediments of a sub alpine lake with microplastic particles. Curr Biol 23:R867–R868
Ioakeimidis C, Fotopoulou KN, Karapanagioti HK, Geraga M, Zeri C, Papathanassiou E, Galgani F, Papatheodorou G (2016) The degradation potential of PET bottles in the marine environment: An ATR-FTIR based approach. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep23501
Isobe A, Uchiyama-Matsumoto K, Uchida K, Tokai T (2017) Microplastics in the Southern Ocean. Mar Pollut Bull 114:623–626
Jayasiri HB, Purushothaman CS, Vennila A (2013) Quantitative analysis of plastic debris on recreational beaches in Mumbai, India. Mar Pollut Bull 77:107–112
Jemec A, Horvat P, Kunej U, Bele M, Krzan A (2016) Uptake and effects of microplastic textile fibers on freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna. Envtl Pollu 219:201–209
Jiang JQ (2018) Occurrence of microplastics and its pollution in the environment: a review. Sustain Prodn Consumption 13:16–23
Jovanovic B (2017) Ingestion of microplastics by fish and its potential consequences from a physical perspective. Integ Environ Assess Mgmt 13:510–515
Karami A, Golieskardi A, Ho YB, Larat V, Salamatinia B (2017) Microplastics in eviscerated flesh and excised organs of dried fish. Sci. Rep 7:5473. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-05828-6
Karlsson TM, Vethaak AD, Almroth BC, Ariese F, van Velzen M, Hassellöv M, Leslie HA (2017) Screening for microplastics in sediment, water, marine invertebrates and fish: method development and microplastic accumulation. Mar Pollut Bull 122:403–408
Kärrman A, Vigren D, Karlsson C, van Bavel B. (2016) Pilot study on the occurrence and disposition of microplastics in lake Vättern. Report to Vätternvårdsförbundet
Katija K, Choy CA, Sherlock RE, Sherman AD, Robison BH (2017) From the surface to the seafloor: how giant larvaceans transport microplastics into the deep sea. Sci Adv 3:e1700715
Khan FR, Syberg K, Shashoua Y, Bury NR (2015) Influence of polyethylene microplastic beads on the uptake and localization of silver in zebrafish (Danio rerio) Environ. Pollut. 206: 73–79
Klein S, Worch E, Knepper TP (2015) Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in river shore sediments of the Rhine-main area in Germany. Environ Sci Technol 49:6070–6076
Koelmans AA, Bakir A, Burton GA, Janssen CR (2016) Microplastic as a vector for Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment. Critical review and model-supported re-interpretation of empirical studies. Environ Sci Technol 50:3315–3326
Lagarde F, Olivier O, Zanella M, Daniel P, Hiard S, Caruso A (2016) Microplastic interactions with freshwater microalgae: Heteroaggregation and changes in plastic density appear strongly dependent on polymer type. Envtl. Pollu. 215:331–339
Laist DW (1997) Impacts of marine debris: entanglement of marine life in marine debris including a comprehensive list of species with entanglement and ingestion records. In: Coe JM, Rogers DB (eds) Marine debris: sources, impacts and solutions. Springer-Verlag, New York
Lambert S, Sinclair C, Boxall A (2014) Occurrence, degradation and effect of polymer-based materials in the environment. Rev Envt Contam Toxicol 227:1–42
Lattin GL, Moore CJ, Zellers AF, Moore SL, Weisberg SB (2004) A comparison of neustonic plastic and zooplankton at different depths near the southern California shore. Mar Pollut Bull 49:291–294
Lechner A, Kecker’s H, Lumesberger-Loisl F, Zens B, Krusch R, Tritthart M, Glas M, Schludermann E (2014) The Danube so colorful: a pot pourri of plastic litter out numbers fish larvae in Europe’s second largest river. Environ Pollut 188:177–181
Lee KW, Shim WJ, Kwon OY, Kang JH (2013) Size-dependent effects of micro polystyrene particles in the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus. Environ. Sci. Technol. 47:11278–11283
Lei L, Wu S, Lu S, Liu M, Song Y, Fu Z, Shi H, Raley-Susman KM, He D (2018) Microplastic particles cause intestinal damage and other adverse effects in zebrafish Danio rerio and nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Sci Tot Envt 619-620:1–8
Long M, Moriceau B, Gallinari M, Lambert C, Huvet A, Raffray J, Soudant P (2015) Interactions between microplastics and phytoplankton aggregates: impact on their respective fates. Mar Chem 175:39–46
Long M, Paul-Pont I, Hegaret H, Moriceau B, Lambert C, Huvet A, Soudant P (2017) Interactions between polystyrene microplastics and marine phytoplankton lead to species-specific hetero-aggregation. Environ Pollut 228:454–463
Lu Y, Zhang Y, Deng Y, Jiang W, Zhao Y, Geng J, Ding L, Ren H (2016) Uptake and accumulation of polystyrene microplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and toxic effects in liver. Environ Sci Technol 50:4054–4060
Lusher AL, Tirelli V, O’Connor I, Officer R (2015) Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples. Sci Rep 5:14947. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep14947
Lyakurwa DJ (2017) Uptake and effects of microplastic particles in selected marine microalgae species; Oxyrrhis marina and Rhodomonas baltica. Master of Science Thesis, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NUST). Pp. 1–65
Ma Y, Huang A, Cao S, Sun F, Wang L, Guo H, Ji R (2016) Effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on toxicity, bioaccumulation, and environmental fate of phenanthrene in fresh water. Envtl. Pollu. 219:166–173
Mani T, Hauk A, Walter U, Burkhardt-Holm P (2015) Microplastics profile along the Rhine River. Sci Rep 5:17988. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep17988
Martínez Gomez C, Leon VM, Calles S, Gomariz-Olcina M, Vethaak AD (2017) The adverse effects of virgin microplastics on the fertilization and larval development of sea urchins. Mar Envtl Res 130:69–76
McCormick A, Hoellein TJ, Mason SA, Schluep J, Kelly JJ (2014) Microplastic is an abundant and distinct microbial habitat in an urban river. Environ Sci Technol 48:11863–11871
Mizraji R, Ahrendt C, Perez-Venegas D, Vargas J, Pulgar J, Aldana M, Ojeda FP, Duarte C, Galbán-Malagón C (2017) Is the feeding type related with the content of microplastics in intertidal fish gut? Mar Pollut Bull 116:498–500
Moore CJ (2008) Synthetic polymers in the marine environment: a rapidly increasing, long-term threat. Environ Res 108:131–139
Moore CJ, Moore SL, Leecaster MK, Weisberg SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre. Mar Pollut Bull 42:1297–1300
Moore CJ, Lattin GL, Zellers AF (2011) Quantity and type of plastic debris flowing from two urban rivers to coastal waters and beaches of Southern California. J Integr Coast Zone Manag 11:65–73
Morritt D, Stefanoudis PV, Pearce D, Crimmen OA, Clark PF (2014) Plastic in the Thames: a river runs through it. Mar Pollut Bull 78:196–200
Mugilarasan M, Venkatachalapathy R, Sharmila N (2015) Occurrence of microplastic resin pellets in sediments around Agatti Island, India. Intl J Rec Sci Res 6:7198–7201
Murphy F, Quinn B (2018) The effects of microplastic on freshwater Hydra attenuata feeding, morphology & reproduction. Environ Pollut 234:487–494
Murray F, Cowie PR (2011) Plastic contamination in the decapods crustacean Nephropsnorvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758). Mar Pollut Bull 62:1207–1217
Nadal MA, Alomar C, Deudero S (2016) High levels of microplastic ingestion by the semipelagic fish Bogue Boops boops (L.) around the Balearic Islands. Environ Pollut 214:517–523
Napper IE, Thompson RC (2016) Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from domestic washing machines: effects of fabric type and washing conditions. Mar Pollut Bull 112:39–45
Nigam R (1982) Plastic pellets on the Caranzalem beach sands, Goa. India Mahasagar Bull Natl Inst Oceanogr 15:125–127
Nizzetto L, Bussin G, Futter MN, Butterfield D, Paul G (2016) Whitehead a theoretical assessment of microplastic transport in river catchments and their retention by soils and river sediments. Environ Sci Process Impact 18:1050–1059
Noik VJ, Tuah PM (2015) A first survey on the abundance of plastic fragments and particles on two sandy beaches in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. IOP Conf Ser: Mater Sci Eng 78:012035. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/78/1/012035
Noren F, Naustvoll LJ (2010) Survey of microplastic anthropogenic particles in Skagerrak. Klima-og forurensningsdirektoratet TA 2779-2011:1–20
Obbard RW, Sadri S, Wong YQ, Khitun AA, Baker I, Thompson RC (2014) Global warming releases microplastic legacy frozen in Arctic Sea ice. Earth's Future 2:315–320
Oehlmann J, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Kloas W, Jagnytsch O, Lutz I, Kusk KO, Wollenberger L, Santos EM, Paull GC, van Look KJW, Tyler CR (2009) A critical analysis of the biological impacts of plasticizers on wildlife. Phil Trans R Soc B 364:2047–2062
Ogonowski M, Schur C, Jarsen A, Gorokhova E (2016) The effects of natural and anthropogenic microparticles on individual fitness in daphnia magna. PLoS One 11(5):e0155063
Oliveira M, Ribeiro A, Hylland K, Guilhermino L (2013) Single and combined effects of micropalstics and pyrene on juveniles (o+ group) of the common goby Pomatoschistus microps (Teleostei, Gobiidae). Ecol Indic 34:641–647
Paul-Pont I, Lacroix C, Gonzalez Fernandez C, Hegaret H, Lambert C, Goïc NL, Frere L, Cassone A-L, Sussarellu R, Fabioux C, Guyomarch J, Albentosa M, Huvet A, Soudant P (2016) Exposure of marine mussels Mytilus spp. to polystyrene microplastics: toxicity and influence on fluoranthene bioaccumulation. Environ Pollut 216:724–737
Peda C, Caccamo L, Fossi MC, Gai F, Andaloro F, Genovese L, Perdichizzi A, Romeo T, Maricchiolo G (2016) Intestinal alterations in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) exposed to microplastics: preliminary results. Environ Pollut 212:251–256
Possatto FE, Barletta M, Costa MF, Ivar do Sul JA, Dantas DV (2011) Plastic debris ingestion by marine catfish: an unexpected fisheries impact. Mar Pollut Bull 62:1098–1102
Ramos JAA, Barletta M, Costa MF (2012) Ingestion of nylon threads by Gerreidae while using a tropical estuary as foraging grounds. Aquat Biol 17:29–34
Reddy MS, Basha S, Adimurthy S, Ramachandraiah G (2006) Description of the small plastic fragments in marine sediments along the Alang-Sosiya ship-breaking yard, India. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 68:656–660
Redford DP, Trulli HK, Trulli WR (1997) Sources of plastic pellets in the aquatic environment. In: Coe JM, Rogers DB (eds) Marine Debris. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 335–343 (Chapter 25)
Rehse S, Kloas W, Zarfl C (2016) Short-term exposure with high concentrations of pristine microplastic particles leads to immobilization of Daphnia magna. Chemosphere 153:91–99
Rillig MC (2012) Microplastic in terrestrial ecosystems and the soil? Environ Sci Technol 46:6453–6454
Rist SE, Assidqi K, Zamani NP, Appel D, Perschke M, Huhn M, Lenz M (2016) Suspended micro-sized PVC particles impair the performance and decrease survival in the Asian green mussel Perna viridis. Mar Pollut Bull 111:213–220
Rist S, Baun A, Hartmann NB (2017) Ingestion of micro- and nanoplastics in Daphnia magna - quantification of body burdens and assessment of feeding rates and reproduction. Environ Pollut 228:398–407
Rochman CM, Hoh E, Kurobe T, Teh SJ (2013) Ingested plastic transfers hazardous chemicals to fish and induces hepatic stress. Sci Rep 3:3263
Rochman CM, Kross SM, Armstrong JB, Bogan MT, Darling ES, Green SJ, Smyth AR, Verssimo D (2015) Scientific evidence supports a ban on microbeads. Environ Sci Technol 49:10759–10761
Romano N, Ashikin M, The JC, Syukri F, Karami A (2017) Effects of pristine polyvinyl chloride fragments on whole body histology and protease activity in silver barb Barbodes gonionotus fry. Environ Pollut S0269–7491(17):33728–33724
Rosenkranz P, Chaudhary Q, Stone V, Fernandes TF (2009) A comparison of nanoparticle and fine particle uptake by Daphnia magna. Environ Toxicol Chem 28:2142–2149
Ryan PG, Moore CJ, van Franeker JA, Moloney CL (2009) Monitoring the abundance of plastic debris in the marine environment. Philos Trans R Soc Lond 13: Biol. Sci 364:1999–2012
Sadri SS, Thompson RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar estuary, Southwest England. Mar Pollut Bull 81:55–60
Sanchez W, Bender C, Porcher JM (2014) Wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers are contaminated by microplastics: preliminary study and first evidence. Environ Res 128:98–100
Schirinzi GF, Pérez-Pomeda I, Sanchís J, Rossini C, Farré M, Barceló D (2017) Cytotoxic effects of commonly used nanomaterials and microplastics on cerebral and epithelial human cells. Environ Res 159:579–587
Setala O, Fleming-Lehtinen V, Lehtiniemi M (2014) Ingestion and transfer of microplastics in the planktonic food web. Environ Pollut 185:77–83
Shiber JG (1979) Plastic pellets on the coast of Lebanon. Mar Pollut Bull 10:28–30
Silva-Cavalcanti JS, Silva JDB, de França EJ, de Araújo MCB, Gusmao F (2017) Microplastics ingestion by a common tropical freshwater fishing resource. Envtl Pollut 221:218–226
Sjollema SB, Redondo-Hasselerharm P, Leslie HA, Kraak MHS, Vethaak A (2016) Do plastic particles affect microalgal photosynthesis and growth? Aquat Toxicol 170:259–261
Sun X, Li Q, Zhu M, Liang J, Zheng S, Zhao Y (2017) Ingestion of microplastics by natural zooplankton groups in the northern South China Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 115:217–224
Sussarellu R, Suquet M, Thomas Y, Lambert C, Fabioux C, Pernet MEJ, Goïc NL, Quillien V, Mingant C, Epelboin Y, Corporeau C, Guyomarch J, Robbens J, Paul-Pont I, Soudant P, Huvet A (2016) Oyster reproduction is affected by exposure to polystyrene microplastics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:2430–2435
Syber K, Khan FR, Selck H, Palmqvist A, Banta GT, Daley J, Sano L, Duhaime MB (2015) Microplastics: addressing ecological risk through lessons learned. Envtl Toxicol Chem 34:945–953
Talsness CE, Andrade AJM, Kuriyama SN, Taylor JA, vom Saal FS (2009) Components of plastic: experimental studies in animals and relevance for human health. Philos Trans R Soc B 364:2079–2096
Teuten EL, Rowland SJ, Galloway TS, Thompson RC (2007) Potential for plastics to transport hydrophobic contaminants. Environ Sci Technol 41:7759–7764
Thompson RC, Olsen Y, Mitchell RP, Davis A, Rowland SJ, John AWG, McGonigle D, Russell AE (2004) Lost at sea: where is all the plastic? Science 304:838
Thompson RC, Swan SH, Moore CJ, vom Saal FS (2009) Our plastic age Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol 64:1973–1976
Thompson RC, Moore CJ, VomSaal FS, Swan SH (2009b) Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends. Philos. Trans R Soc Lond 13: Biol Sci 364: 2153–2166
Tosetto L, Williamson JE, Brown C (2017) Trophic transfer of microplastics does not affect fish personality. Anim Behav 123:159–167
UNEP (2011) Emerging issues in our global environment. UNEP Year Book, 2011
Van Cauwenberghe L, Claessens M, Vandegehuchte MB, Janssen CR (2015) Microplastics are taken up by mussels (Mytilus edulis) and lugworms (Arenicola marina) living in natural habitats. Environ Pollut 199:10–17
Veerasingham S, Mugilarasan M, Venkatachalapathy R, Vethamony P (2016a) Influence of 2015 flood on the distribution and occurrence of microplastic pellets along the Chennai coast, India. Mar Pollut Bull 109:196–204
Veerasingham S, Saha M, Suneel V, Vethamony P, Rodrigues AC, Bhattacharyya S, Naik, BG (2016b) Characteristics, seasonal distribution and surface degradation features of microplastic pellets along the Goa coast, India. Chemosphere 159:496–505
Veneman WJ, Spaink HP, Brun NR, Boskera T, Vijver MG (2017) Pathway analysis of systemic transcriptome responses to injected polystyrene particles in zebrafish larvae. Aquat Toxicol 190:112–120
von Moos N, Burkhardt-Holm P, Kohler A (2012) Uptake and effects of microplastics on cells and tissue of the blue mussel Mytilusedulis L. after an experimental exposure. Environ Sci Technol 46:11327–11335
Wagner M, Scherer C, Alvarez-Munoz D, Brennholt N, Bourrain X, Buchinger S, Fries E, Grosbois C, Klasmeier J, Marti T, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Urbatzka R, Vethaak AD, Winther-Lielsen M, Reifferscheid G (2014) Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know. Environ Sci Eur 26:12
Ward JE, Shumway SE (2004) Separating the grain from the chaff: particle selection in suspension- and deposit-feeding bivalves. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 300:83–130
Wardrop P, Shimeta J, Nugegoda D, Morrison PD, Miranda A, Tang M, Clarke BO (2016) Chemical pollutants sorbed to ingested microbeads from personal care products accumulate in fish. Environ Sci Technol 50:4037–4044
Welden NAC, Cowie PR (2016a) Environment and gut morphology influence microplastic retention in langoustine, Nephrops norvegicus. Environ Pollut 214:859–865
Welden NAC, Cowie PR (2016b) Long-term microplastic retention causes reduced body condition in the langoustine, Nephrops norvegicus. Environ Pollut 218:895–900
Wentworth, J., Stafford, C., 2016. Marine Microplastic Pollution, POSTNOTE (528), Houses of Parliament. UK. URL http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/POST-PN-0528?utm_source=website&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=PN528
Williams AT, Simmons SL (1996) The degradation of plastic litter in rivers: implications for beaches. J Coast Conserv 2:63–72
Wright SL, Thompson RC, Galloway TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms: a review. Envtl Pollut 178:483–492
Yoshida S, Hiraga K, Takehana T, Taniguchi I, Yamaji H, Maeda Y, Toyohara K, Miyamoto K, Kimura Y, Oda K (2016) A bacterium that degrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate). Science 351:1196–1199
Zbyszewski M, Corcoran PL (2011) Distribution and degradation of freshwater plastic particles along the beaches of Lake Huron, Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut 220:365–372
Zbyszewski M, Corcoran PL, Hockin A (2014) Comparison of the distribution and degradation of plastic debris along shorelines of the Great Lakes. North America. J Gt Lakes Res 40:288–299
Zhang C, Chen X, Wang J, Tan L (2017a) Toxic effects of microplastic on marine microalgae Skeletonema costatum: interactions between microplastic and algae. Environ Pollut 220:1282–1288
Zhang W, Zhang S, Wang J, Wang Y, Mu J, Wang P, Lin X, Ma D (2017b) Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Bohai Sea. China Environ Pollut 231:541–548
Zitko V, Hanlon M (1991) Another source of pollution by plastics: skin cleans with plastic scrubbers. Mar Pollut Bull 22:41–42
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge Prof. Alok Dhawan, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow for his encouragement and support. This manuscript has CSIR-IITR communication number 3403.
Funding
No funding is involved.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Research involving Human Participants and/or Animals: This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.
Informed consent
Formal consent is not required for this study.
Additional information
Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Anbumani, S., Kakkar, P. Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics on biota: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 14373–14396 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1999-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1999-x