Effect of microplastic on aquatic animals & human health

Abstract

Plastics are one of the emerging issues for the aquatic ecosystems worldwide,e mainly due to anthropogenic activities. Since plastic is non-biodegradable, it remains in water for prolonged period of time. Due to action of waves and tides, plastic is broken into pieces & fragments of various sizes including microplastic. These microplastics enter food chain &  reach various systems & organs of aquatic animals and have deleterious effects. On accumulation in tissues, microplastic is known to cause cellular damage in animal tissues.

Microplastics are also known to have affinity for heavy metals and thus carry extra load of heavy metals which enhance their harmful effect on animals. Many researchers found microplastics in commercially important edible marine animals including fishes.

Microplastic makes entry in human body after consumption of plastic contaminated food species from aquatic ecosystem. Deleterious effects of microplastic on various aspects of human health are well documented in scientific research of many researchers.