A global perspective on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine organisms

Parolini, Marco; Stucchi, Matteo; Ambrosini, Roberto; Romanò, Andrea

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110179

Cited by 36 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Different organisms with adaptable diets and roles in different trophic levels make up the interconnected and complex marine food chains. Given the importance of each level in the marine food chain, microplastics contamination at any level would have a significant effect [52].…”

Section: Occurrence Abundance and Distribution Of Microplastics In Ma...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Marine Environment: Occurrence, Distribution, and Extraction Methods in Marine Organisms

Olubusoye,

Oni,

Owusu

et al. 2023

OJE

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The pervasive presence of microplastics in marine environments has raised significant concerns. This review addresses the pressing issue of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems and its potential implications for both the environment and human health. It outlines the current state of microplastic occurrence, distribution, and extraction methods within marine organisms. Microplastics have emerged as a significant environmental concern due to their harmful effects on ecosystems and their potential human health risks. These particles infiltrate marine environments through runoff and atmospheric deposition, ultimately contaminating beaches and posing threats to marine life. Despite the gravity of this issue, there has been limited research on the presence and distribution of microplastics in marine organisms. This review aims to bridge this knowledge gap by comprehensively examining the occurrence, distribution, and various extraction methods used to detect microplastics in marine organisms. It emphasizes the urgent need for targeted measures to manage microplastic pollution, highlights the significant role of human activities in contributing to this problem, and underscores the importance of reducing human-induced pollution to safeguard marine ecosystems. While this paper contributes to the understanding of microplastic pollution in marine environments and underscores the critical importance of taking action to protect marine organisms and preserve our oceans for future genera-

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Section: Occurrence Abundance and Distribution Of Microplastics In Ma...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Marine Environment: Occurrence, Distribution, and Extraction Methods in Marine Organisms

Olubusoye,

Oni,

Owusu

et al. 2023

OJE

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“…Particular attention has been focused on small-sized items, mainly microplastics (MPs), which emerged as a hot-topic in environmental studies. Microplastics of diverse shape, color, size, and polymer composition have been detected in the atmosphere, as well as in diverse domains of marine ecosystems, freshwaters (i.e., rivers and lakes), soil, and biota, from both anthropic and natural ecosystems (Peng et al 2020 ; Li et al 2020 ; Yu et al 2022 ; Yang et al 2022 ; Parolini et al 2023 ). Moreover, recent monitoring surveys have identified the presence of MPs also in the so-called remote and pristine ecosystems (Citterich et al 2023 ; Forster et al 2023 ), confirming that no physical and/or geographical barriers have limited the diffusion of this contamination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altitudinal variation of microplastic abundance in lakeshore sediments from Italian lakes

Parolini,

Perin,

De Felice

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Microplastic (MP) contamination represents an issue of global concern for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but only in recent years, the study of MPs has been focused on freshwaters. Several monitoring surveys have detected the presence of a wide array of MPs differing in size, shape, and polymer composition in rivers and lakes worldwide. Because of their role of sink for plastic particles, the abundance of MPs was investigated in waters, and deep and shoreline sediments from diverse lakes, confirming the ubiquity of this contamination. Although diverse factors, including those concerning anthropogenic activities and physical characteristics of lakes, have been supposed to affect MP abundances, very few studies have directly addressed these links. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the levels of MP contamination in mountain and subalpine lakes from Northern Italy. Fourteen lakes dislocated at different altitudes and characterized by dissimilar anthropic pressures were visited. Lakeshore sediments were collected close to the drift line to assess MPs contamination. Our results showed the presence of MPs in lakeshore sediments from all the lakes, with a mean (± standard deviation) expressed as MPs/Kg dry sediment accounting to 14.42 ± 13.31 (range 1.57–61.53), while expressed as MPs/m2, it was 176.07 ± 172.83 (range 25.00–666.67). The MP abundance measured for Garda Lake was significantly higher compared to all the other ones (F1,13 = 7.344; P < 0.001). The pattern of contamination was dominated by fibers in all the lakes, but they were the main contributors in mountain lakes. These findings showed that the MP abundance varied according to the altitude of the lakes, with higher levels measured in subalpine lakes located at low altitudes and surrounded by populated areas.

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“…At least 700 marine species across the world are negatively affected by the presence of plastic litter in the sea that can trap, choke, or injure sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. MNPs also critically affect marine biota through ingestion by a large number of aquatic organisms, starting from primary producers, with subsequent bioaccumulation in the trophic chain [5,11]. The entry and accumulation of MNPs also poses a risk to human health, since several studies have shown that they can reach humans via animal/vegetable food items [12] and water and/or by leaching from plastic food and drink packaging [6,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Level of Awareness and Attitudes towards Plastic Contamination by Students of an Italian University

Righi,

Bergami,

Simonini

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Although micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) represent one of the main environmental emergencies worldwide, citizens are not always aware of their active role in contributing to such contamination. In this study, the perception, level of knowledge, and behaviours towards MNPs were assessed in young citizens in Modena (Italy), represented by science-oriented Bachelor’s students (n = 220) enrolled at the university, through the administration of a voluntary-based questionnaire. No differences in knowledge and in students’ attitudes were observed according to gender and the undergraduate program. Students seem to be aware of MNPs’ global distribution and effects on ecosystems but were less advised about MNP types and their potential effects on human health. A positive correlation between the students’ level of concern and their knowledge or their behaviour was found. Differently, no correlation between students’ knowledge and behaviour towards plastic and MNP contamination was observed. Thus, having a good knowledge of the issue does not always translate into effective actions planned to mitigate the problem. As a first step forward, more environmental education programs should be promoted to increase knowledge and awareness in young citizen as well as pro-environmental behaviours to pursue future mitigation strategies.

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A global perspective on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine organisms

Cited by 36 publications

References 64 publications

Microplastics in Marine Environment: Occurrence, Distribution, and Extraction Methods in Marine Organisms

Microplastics in Marine Environment: Occurrence, Distribution, and Extraction Methods in Marine Organisms

Altitudinal variation of microplastic abundance in lakeshore sediments from Italian lakes

Level of Awareness and Attitudes towards Plastic Contamination by Students of an Italian University

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