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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Accumulation and Distribution of Fluorescent Microplastics in the Early Life Stages of Zebrafish
Published on: July 4, 2021
Tracing microplastics in fish: Uptake, translocation, and multidimensional biological impacts
Yang Yu1, Tian-Sheng Zhu2, Zi-Yan Liu2
1Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, China; State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants. This review details their behavior, uptake, and effects in fish, highlighting ecological risks and mitigation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Global plastic production has surged since the 1960s, leading to widespread microplastic (MP) contamination across ecosystems.
- Microplastics, derived from primary and secondary sources, are persistent and abundant contaminants of ecological concern.
- Fish serve as crucial bioindicators for assessing the impact of microplastic pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of microplastic behavior in fish.
- To integrate laboratory and field observations on MP distribution, uptake, bioaccumulation, and translocation.
- To evaluate advanced analytical techniques for MP detection and synthesize MP effects on fish health.
Main Methods:
- Review of environmental distribution, uptake pathways, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer of MPs in fish.
- Analysis of organ-level and cellular translocation and clearance mechanisms in fish.
- Evaluation of advanced analytical and imaging techniques for MP detection (e.g., fluorescence labeling, Raman spectroscopy).
Main Results:
- Microplastics exhibit complex behaviors including environmental distribution, diverse uptake routes, and potential for bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in fish.
- Evidence synthesized on multifaceted MP effects on fish, including impacts on growth, development, behavior, and physiological functions.
- Evaluation of various advanced techniques for reliable MP detection and quantification in environmental and biological samples.
Conclusions:
- Microplastics pose significant ecological risks to fish, affecting multiple biological levels from cellular to organismal.
- Methodological advancements are crucial for accurate MP detection and risk assessment.
- Understanding MP pathways and impacts is vital for effective environmental monitoring and pollution mitigation strategies.
