Current status of microplastic pollution in China’s aquatic environment and its interactions with metal pollutants on aquatic organisms

Abstract

Microplastics have become pervasive pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, raising global concerns due to their persistence and ecological risks. Despite increasing attention in China, a comprehensive review of their distribution and interactions with metal pollutants remains lacking. This review summarizes the sources and distribution of microplastics in Chinese rivers and lakes, emphasizing adsorption processes, influencing factors, and combined toxicity with metal pollutants. The findings show that microplastic pollution is widespread in Chinese waters, with river concentrations linked to human activity and lake levels affected by closure and population density. Microplastics adsorb metal pollutants, influenced by type, aging, size, and environment. When adsorption is strong, the outcome hinges on microplastics’ internalization potential (the possibility of microplastics entering organisms or cells). If particles are readily taken up by cells, they deliver metal pollutants directly into organisms, intensifying their combined toxicity. However, if internalization is limited, they may retain metal pollutants in the environment, reducing bioavailability and mitigating toxicity. This review highlights the widespread microplastic pollution in Chinese waters and its role in metal pollutants adsorption, revealing how their combined toxicity depends on microplastics’ internalization potential. These findings provide essential insights into the ecological risks posed by microplastics, particularly through their interactions with metal pollutants, informing targeted pollution mitigation strategies.

Keywords

• Microplastic pollution
• Metal adsorption
• Combined toxicity
• Aquatic organisms
• Tire wear particles