Microplastics pollution in the aquatic ecosystems and its effects on aquatic fauna

Abstract

Microplastics (<1mm) has been recognized as a ubiquitous component of marine debris and they possess major threat to both planktonic and higher organisms (fish, sea birds, sea mammals, and sea turtles) in the aquatic environment that ingest it. Microplastics are found in everyday use products (primary microplastics) such as facial scrubs, and paints or from the breakdown of larger plastic debris under environmental conditions (secondary microplastics) such as polyesters and acrylic. The behaviour of microplastics can be classified into physical, chemical and biological behaviours. The quantity of accumulating plastic waste that is available to enter the ocean from land is of great concern and it is predicted to increase by an order of magnitude without waste management infrastructure improvements by 2025. This review describes the sources and fate of microplastics in the aquatic environment and its effects on aquatic organisms that ingest them. It also highlights possible solutions to this global issue.