Status of Microplastic Pollution in Natural Water Bodies

Abstract

The presence of microplastics in the environment has been declared as an emerging pollutant because the production of plastic is increasing tremendously throughout the world without proper management. Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic particles (size <5mm) released directly from the use of cosmetic products, or indirectly through the degradation of large plastic items under environmental conditions. Nowadays, it is estimated that annually between 4 and 14 million tonnes of plastic go into the seas and are hazardous to aquatic life. Fishes may ingest microplastics either directly or from the prey containing these particles. MPs were found between the stomach, gut, and intestine of the fish. These MPs accumulated in the fish body which causes serious health issues leading to mortality of the fish. MPs can cause various eco-toxicological effects on fish like behavioral change, cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity effects, liver stress, etc.

Keywords: Abundance, Bioaccumulation, Environment, Eco-toxicity, Freshwater, Fish, Hazard, Health-risk, Human, Interaction, Microplastic, Occurrence, Pollutant, Primary, Secondary, Toxicity.