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Microplastic Pollution: Threats and Impacts on Global Marine Ecosystems

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  • Ren-Shou Yu

    (Department of Tourism Management, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China)

  • Sher Singh

    (Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, College of Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan)

Abstract

This study investigates the scope of global marine microplastic pollution and its implications on marine ecosystems and human health. We first delve into how plastic enters the ocean, with an emphasis on the accumulation of plastic along coastlines, particularly the formation and impact of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). Through a concentration map of marine microplastics across five continents, the global distribution of microplastic pollution is revealed. Furthermore, the effects of microplastics on marine wildlife are explored, as well as their potential entry into the human food chain, posing potential public health risks. The results of our research underscore the serious threats of microplastic pollution to global marine ecosystems and human health, emphasizing the need for more scientific research and policy measures to address this challenge.

Suggested Citation

  • Ren-Shou Yu & Sher Singh, 2023. "Microplastic Pollution: Threats and Impacts on Global Marine Ecosystems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13252-:d:1232598
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rakesh Kumar & Anurag Verma & Arkajyoti Shome & Rama Sinha & Srishti Sinha & Prakash Kumar Jha & Ritesh Kumar & Pawan Kumar & Shubham & Shreyas Das & Prabhakar Sharma & P. V. Vara Prasad, 2021. "Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-41, September.
    2. Sumon Sarkar & Hanin Diab & Jonathan Thompson, 2023. "Microplastic Pollution: Chemical Characterization and Impact on Wildlife," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-28, January.
    3. Cheryl Qian Ying Yong & Suresh Valiyaveettil & Bor Luen Tang, 2020. "Toxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Mammalian Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-24, February.
    4. Navarro Ferronato & Vincenzo Torretta, 2019. "Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-28, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wanxin Liu & Chunbo Gu & Jiayao Li & Yihao Zhang & Xu Zhang & Pingping Zhang & Xianhua Liu, 2024. "High Salinity Alters the Adsorption Behavior of Microplastics towards Typical Pollutants and the Phytotoxicity of Microplastics to Synechococcus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Haithem Aib & Md. Sohel Parvez & Herta Mária Czédli, 2025. "Pharmaceuticals and Microplastics in Aquatic Environments: A Comprehensive Review of Pathways and Distribution, Toxicological and Ecological Effects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(5), pages 1-35, May.
    3. Vahid Mohamad Taghvaee & Soheila Farokhi & Mohammad Reza Faraji & Davud Rostam-Afschar & Moosa Tatar, 2025. "Nexus of Economic Growth, Economic Structure, and Environmental Pollution: Using a Novel Machine Learning Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-18, August.

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