The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms: A review

Plastic debris at the micro-, and potentially also the nano-scale, are widespread in the environment. Microplastics have accumulated in oceans and sediments worldwide in recent years, with maximum concentrations reaching 100 000 particles m3. Due to their small size, microplastics may be ingested by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Environmental pollution (1987) 2013-07, Vol.178, p.483-492
Main Authors:	Wright, Stephanie L., Thompson, Richard C., Galloway, Tamara S.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animal, plant and microbial ecology Animals Applied ecology aquatic invertebrates Aquatic Organisms - drug effects bioavailability Biological and medical sciences Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution Environmental Monitoring fauna Food web Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Marine and brackish environment Marine invertebrates Marine litter Microplastics oceans Plastic debris plastics Plastics - analysis Plastics - metabolism Plastics - toxicity sediments Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
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Summary:	Plastic debris at the micro-, and potentially also the nano-scale, are widespread in the environment. Microplastics have accumulated in oceans and sediments worldwide in recent years, with maximum concentrations reaching 100 000 particles m3. Due to their small size, microplastics may be ingested by low trophic fauna, with uncertain consequences for the health of the organism. This review focuses on marine invertebrates and their susceptibility to the physical impacts of microplastic uptake. Some of the main points discussed are (1) an evaluation of the factors contributing to the bioavailability of microplastics including size and density; (2) an assessment of the relative susceptibility of different feeding guilds; (3) an overview of the factors most likely to influence the physical impacts of microplastics such as accumulation and translocation; and (4) the trophic transfer of microplastics. These findings are important in guiding future marine litter research and management strategies. •Accumulation of plastic waste in the oceans has become a pressing issue.•Here we review the susceptibility of marine invertebrates to microplastic uptake.•Size, shape and abundance influence uptake; microfibres are considered most harmful.•Colonisation of microplastics could have population-level impacts.•Results will inform future marine litter research and management strategies. Here we review microplastic uptake in marine organisms and assess individual, population and community level effects, highlighting the most susceptible species.
ISSN:	0269-7491 1873-6424