Chapter 6 - Chemicals associated with marine plastic debris and microplastics: Analyses and contaminant levels

Abstract

The mass production and mass consumption of plastics have led to the substantial accumulation of plastic debris in natural habitats, with multiple adverse effects on terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Currently, plastics are the most abundant items in marine debris and the most frequently reported materials encountered by marine organisms (Thompson et al., 2009; CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity)—GEF, 2012). Over 80% of the adverse impacts of marine debris on marine species are associated with plastic debris (CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity)—GEF, 2012). There is growing concern over marine plastic debris because of the increased bioavailability of their breakdown products, including microplastics. As larger pieces of plastic debris become smaller through environmental weathering and degradation processes, their potential encounters with or ingestion by marine animals could greatly expand from large marine animals (e.g., marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds) to small marine species (e.g., zooplankton, crustaceans, bivalves, polychaetes, and fish). It is well known that entanglement and ingestion of plastic debris have adverse physical effects on marine life, such as internal and/or external abrasions and blockage of digestive organs, which results in satiation, starvation, and physical deterioration. The chemical hazards of plastic debris have recently attracted attention from scientists.