The Dual Role of Microplastics in Marine Environment: Sink and Vectors of Pollutants

This review is a follow-up to a previous review published in Journal of Marine Science and Engineeringon the issues of accumulation, transport, and the effects of microplastics (MPs) in the oceans. The review brings together experimental laboratory, mathematical, and field data on the dual role of MPs as accumulators of hydrophobic persistent organic compounds (POPs), and their release-effect in the marine ecosystem. It also examines the carrier role, besides POPs, of new emerging categories of pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). This role becomes increasingly important and significant as polymers age and surfaces become hydrophilic, increasing toxicity and effects of the new polymer-pollutant associations on marine food webs. It was not the intention to provide too many detailed examples of carriers and co-contaminants, exposed marine species, and effects. Instead, the views of two different schools of thought are reported and summarized: one that emphasizes the risks of transport, exposure, and risk beyond critical thresholds, and another that downplays this view.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the issues of accumulation, transport, and effects of microplastics in the oceans, focusing on their dual role as accumulators of persistent organic compounds and their release-effect in the marine ecosystem. It also discusses the carrier role of emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products. The review presents two differing viewpoints, one emphasizing risks and the other downplaying them.