Present and future: the effects and possible solutions of microplastics in the marine/aquatic environment

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities have degraded the marine ecosystem badly, among which microplastic (MPs) is the primary cause. The use of MPs is increasing at extraordinary haste while the recycling and reuse are very low. They are dumped in water bodies that sequentially enter the marine ecosystem. Recently scientists have observed the presence of MPs in various tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract and some immune organs. The major problem arises when it affects the human population severely. The consumption of MPs-affected fish cause accumulation in the food chain resulting in biomagnification. It affects human health by interfering with the gut microbiome, immune response, etc. We can decrease the impact of MPs by reducing their production and detecting them in aqua-consuming organisms. There are different techniques to diagnose the concentration of MPs inside marine organisms before processing. Removal of the gut of marine food organisms before consumption is also an excellent way to reduce the impact of MPs on health, but it is not possible for small fish. So, some limits should be applied to impose the production of MPs and enhance the use of biodegradable products for human health considerations. Some protocols should be set on the boundary of MPs’ concentration for fish marketing and processing.