Microplastics: Not a Micro Issue

Abstract

Plastic, the most common type of marine trash is found in our oceans and lakes. In a period of few decenniums since the mass production of plastic, in the 1950s, the debris of plastic has piled up in terrestrial environments, open oceans, on the banks of the most secluded islands and in the deep sea. The durability of plastic is estimated from decades to millenniums but is far more in deep-sea and environments. The debris of plastic poses a menace by chocking and perishing wildlife by distributing harmful organisms, absorbing lethal chemicals and degrading microplastics that may be ingested afterward. The main objective of this review is to discuss the sources of microplastics; its effects on aquatic organisms as well as potential human health impacts and its increasing concern

Keywords

• Microplastics
• Degradation
• toxicity
• aquatic organisms
• human health