Microplastics in marine biota: A review

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Environmental Science
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Plastics constitute a major component of marine debris.
• Microplastics, defined as plastic particles <5 mm, pose a significant threat to marine organisms.
• Understanding the impact of microplastics on marine vertebrates is crucial for conservation efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of microplastic research.
• To identify vertebrate groups most affected by microplastic ingestion.
• To determine the predominant types, sizes, colors, and polymers of microplastics in marine environments.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
• 132 articles published between 2010 and May 2020 were analyzed.
• Data on affected species, microplastic characteristics, and contamination levels were extracted.

Main Results:

• Turtles were the most affected vertebrate group, with 88% of specimens contaminated.
• The median contamination level in turtles was 121.73 microplastic particles per individual.
• Predominant microplastic characteristics included fibers (67.3%), polyethylene (27.3%), size <2 mm (73.6%), and blue color (32.9%).

Conclusions:

• Marine vertebrates, particularly turtles, are highly susceptible to microplastic contamination.
• Fibers, especially blue polyethylene, are a common form of microplastic pollution.
• Further research is needed to fully understand and mitigate the ecological risks of microplastics.