Environmental Impacts of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: A Current Overview

Abstract

The increasing distribution of miniaturized plastic particles, viz. microplastics (100 nm–5 mm) and nanoplastics (less than 100 nm), across the various ecosystems is currently a subject of major environmental concern. Exacerbating these concerns is the fact that microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) display different properties from their corresponding bulk materials; thus, not much is understood about their full biological and ecological implications. Currently, there is evidence to prove that these miniaturized plastic particles release toxic plastic additives and can adsorb various chemicals, thereby serving as sinks for various poisonous compounds, enhancing their bioavailability, toxicity, and transportation. Furthermore, there is a potential danger for the trophic transfer of MNPs to humans and other higher animals, after being ingested by lower organisms. Thus, this paper critically analyzes our current knowledge with regard to the environmental impacts of MNPs. In this regard, the properties, sources, and damaging effects of MNPs on different habitats, particularly on the biotic components, were elucidated. Similarly, the consequent detrimental effects of these particles on humans as well as the current and future efforts at mitigating these detrimental effects were discussed. Finally, the self-cleaning efforts of the planet via a range of saprophytic organisms on these synthetic particles were also highlighted.

Discovering untapped microbial communities through metagenomics for microplastic remediation: recent advances, challenges, and way forward

“…The plastic debris from sewage treatment plants, transport and cosmetic industries, manufacturing, fishing, packaging, and shipping industries reaches the marine environment and is estimated to be 5–12 million metric tons per annum (Thushari and Senevirathna 2020 ; Vriend et al 2021 ; Lim 2021 ; Peng et al 2021 ). MP accumulation in terrestrial and aquatic biota through absorption, ingestion, or respiration has been widely recognized (Duis and Coors 2016 ; Souza Machado et al 2018 ; Amobonye et al 2021 ). Arenicola marina , an annelid species, has been reported to have MPs embedded in its gastrointestinal tracts (Besseling et al 2013 ).…”

Impacts of microplastics on immunity

“…Such heavy plastic pollution risks that about eight million tons of plastic may enter the global water bodies every year, and estimated that there might be 10,000–100,000 tons of plastic in the surface water and even in the greater depths of the seafloor ( Jambeck et al, 2015 ). Microplastics (MPs) are plastic fragments of less than 5 milimeters(mm), while nanoplastics (NPs) are smaller plastic fragments (≤100 nm) ( Cole et al, 2011 ; Amobonye et al, 2021 ; Gigault et al, 2021 ). In this paper, MPs referred to any plastic particles below 5 mm in size.…”

Customizable Machine-Learning Models for Rapid Microplastic Identification Using Raman Microscopy

“…The ability to accurately identify microplastics is impeded by a combination of their dimensions, structural diversity, tendency to adsorb contaminants, and presence in natural environments in concentration ranges that span multiple orders of magnitude. − Global interest in this class of environmental contaminant has rapidly increased in recent years, spurred by reports of microplastics identified in ecosystems around the planet, − within living tissue, − and in the human body. , This has led to significant research and development in environmental processing techniques, − analytical techniques to detect and quantify particles, ,− and discussions regarding research data management and accessibility. Many instrumental techniques have found use in the identification of microplastics, most notably including infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, 1 H NMR spectroscopy, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.…”

“…17,18 This has led to significant research and development in environmental processing techniques, 19−21 analytical techniques to detect and quantify particles, 20,22−26 and discussions regarding research data management and accessibility. Many instrumental techniques have found use in the identification of microplastics, most notably including infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, 1 H NMR spectroscopy, and gas chromatography−mass spectrometry. Many of these techniques continue to rely upon labor-intensive analyses that typically include preparation of samples, pre-screening of purified samples, and then quantitative analysis of characterization data.…”