Current Knowledge of Methods for Assessing Surface Water Pollution with Microplastics and their Impact on Aquatic Species

Abstract

In order to identify and quantify a new class of pollutants, the microplastic, originating from anthropogenic activities, proposed to be included in the list of indicators monitored for deltaic ecosystems quality establishment, it was necessary to carry out a screening of the literature regarding the pollution of continental waters and marine waters with microplastics, sampling, purification and analysis methods, the overall impacts on aquatic fauna, with an emphasis on the toxicity of ingested microplastics, the susceptibility of organisms to the ingestion of microplastics and the physical impact of microplastics, especially on freshwater aquatic species. Analysis of the literature was done by querying the database of ISI quoted articles, Web of Science Core Collection, using specific keywords.

Keywords

• microplastics
• aquatic ecosystems
• sampling
• purification