Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that microplastics are increasingly being observed in all components of most aquatic ecosystems of the world, entering the trophic chain through ingestion of organisms. In addition to various toxic compounds used as additives in their manufacture, during their residence in the aquatic environment, microplastics can adsorb pollutants present in the surrounding waters and be colonized by microorganisms forming a biofilm called plastisphere, where pathogens and microorganisms carrying antimicrobial resistance genes may be present. As microplastics remain for long periods in the aquatic environment combined with high buoyancy, they can be carried by ocean currents for great distances, thus dispersing pollutants, pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance genes into various aquatic ecosystems around the world and endangering the biota of these environments. This chapter aims to show the current state of knowledge on the issue of microplastics and associated pollutants and microorganisms in aquatic environments, as well as some of the possible ecotoxicological effects caused by these associations on biota.
Published Version
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