Chapter 17 - Microplastic risks and potential threats to marine biodiversity and human beings

Abstract

Microplastic pollution has become an emerging threat to the aquatic ecosystem. Microplastics found in various products from clothes to cosmetics are known as primary microplastics; those formed by the degradation of larger plastic products such as bags and bottles are called secondary microplastics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with automated software is used for the chemical analysis and counting of microplastics. Microplastics commonly found in the aquatic ecosystem are typically divided into five types—fibers, filaments, films, foams, and pellets. Microplastic polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and acrylic, are distributed in the water column by density. Microplastics have been observed in various organisms at different trophic levels, such as zooplankton, bivalves, barnacles, crustaceans, fishes, seabirds, and mammals. Microplastics absorb harmful chemicals and pathogens that then become part of the trophic food chain and affect various aquatic organisms and humans. The transmission of microplastics to humans can occur from consuming aquatic food, drinking contaminated water, or inhaling the microplastics present in sea sprays. The solution to microplastic pollution is to avoid new plastic product formation, reuse old plastic products, and promote the recycling of plastic products that have already been produced.