2018_EJRNL_PP_ELEONORA_GUZZETTI_1.pdf
Terbatas Lili Sawaludin Mulyadi
» ITB
Terbatas Lili Sawaludin Mulyadi
» ITB
Microplastics are tiny ubiquitous plastic particles present in marine environments. They are not an individual
entity, but constitute a cocktail of polymers and additives that can absorb substances from the surrounding
environment, including living substances, nutrients and marine pollutants. Given their small size (< 5 ?m),
microplastics can be ingested by a wide range of marine organisms with the potential to cause harms.
Microplastics are a growing threat for marine biota and ecosystem. For organisms, the risks associated with
microplastic ingestion are not only due to the material itself, but also to its ability to absorb and concentrate
environmental contaminants in seawater and subsequently transfer them through food chains. Moreover, microplastics could influence ecological processes. Recently, plastic debris are recognized as emerging pollutants
and represent a great risk for marine biodiversity worldwide. Here, we summarize the main effects of plastics
and microplastics on some marine organisms and ecosystem.