Micro(nano)plastics Prevalence, Food Web Interactions, and Toxicity Assessment in Aquatic Organisms: A Review

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a fast-rising environmental catastrophe. Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous components of most aquatic environments, and their burgeoning prevalence is endangering aquatic organisms. Recent studies have documented the entanglement of marine and freshwater biota by plastic litters, particularly ghost fishing gear, resulting in suffocation, drowning, or starving to death. Numerous reports have shown that aquatic organisms readily ingest and accumulate these emerging contaminants in their digestive systems. Given experimental evidence that contaminants-laden MNPs can persist in the gastrointestinal tract for considerable durations, investigations have documented a high probability of lethal and sublethal toxicological effects associated with direct and indirect MNPs ingestions. These include chronic protein modulation, DNA damage, embryotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, genotoxicity, growth inhibition toxicity, histopathotoxicity, liver toxicity, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, reproductive toxicity, and tissue damage. Today, reports have proven the transfer of MNPs across the aquatic food web to humans. However, the mechanisms of multiple contaminants-laden MNPs-induced toxicities, size-dependent toxicity, and the comprehensive mode-of-action and alterations of digestive, reproductive, and neurological systems’ functionality in marine organisms are still unclear. Thus, this review mainly addresses the prevalence, food web interactions, and toxicity assessment of micro(nano) plastics in marine and freshwater organisms. It summarizes documented studies based on the following broad objectives: (1) the occurrence and prevalence of micro(nano) plastic particles in marine and freshwater environments; (2) the ingestion of MNPs by aquatic biota and the food web exposure routes and bioaccumulation of contaminated MNPs by higher trophic entities; (3) the adsorption and desorption of persistent organic pollutants, metals, and chemical additives on/from micro(nano)plastics; and (4) the probable ecotoxicological effects of micro(nano)plastics ingestion on aquatic biota.

Microplastics and Nano-Plastics: From Initiation to Termination

“…According to some reports, the prevalence of MNPs in the digestive systems of microorganisms is owing to their tiny size and shape, which enables them to be readily eaten and collected in the digestive systems of non-discriminating feeders that mistaken for food (Wang et al, 2020a). Understanding the environmental behavior of MNPs is crucial, since the aquatic with the soil environment is the main sink of these particles (Benson et al, 2022;Yadav et al, 2022;Yuan et al, 2022;Zhang et al, 2022).…”

Ecotoxicological significance of bio-corona formation on micro/nanoplastics in aquatic organisms

“…[34][35][36][37] The diverse adverse effects such as oxidative damage, retorted growth, organelle damage, early mortality, decreased food uptake, inammation, immune malfunctions and aberrant behavior are the major detrimental effects of M/NPs on the aquatic biota. [38][39][40][41][42][43]…”

A growing crisis for One Health: Impacts of plastic pollution across layers of biological function

“…Another source of concern, particularly in fish and other marine organisms, is the transfer of plastics through the food web and between generations. MNPs can interact with phytoplankton and zooplankton, which can then be consumed by small fish and passed up the food chain (Benson et al, 2022). Dietary exposure of fish to MNPs can reduce growth rate, cause liver damage, impair swimming performance, and create behavioral abnormalities (da Costa Araujo et al, 2020;Kim et al, 2022).…”