Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know

作者：Martin Wagner, Christian Scherer, Diana Álvarez‐Muñoz, Nicole Brennholt, Xavier Bourrain, Sebastian Buchinger, Elke Fries, Cécile Grosbois, Jörg Klasmeier, Teresa Sordé Martí, Sara Rodríguez‐Mozaz, Ralph Urbatzka, A. Dick Vethaak, Margrethe Winther-Nielsen, Georg Reifferscheid · 发表于：Environmental Sciences Europe · 年份：2014 · DOI：10.1186/s12302-014-0012-7 · 被引用次数：1537 · 研究领域：Microplastics and Plastic Pollution、biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties、Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals

BACKGROUND: While the use of plastic materials has generated huge societal benefits, the 'plastic age' comes with downsides: One issue of emerging concern is the accumulation of plastics in the aquatic environment. Here, so-called microplastics (MP), fragments smaller than 5 mm, are of special concern because they can be ingested throughout the food web more readily than larger particles. Focusing on freshwater MP, we briefly review the state of the science to identify gaps of knowledge and deduce research needs. STATE OF THE SCIENCE: Environmental scientists started investigating marine (micro)plastics in the early 2000s. Today, a wealth of studies demonstrates that MP have ubiquitously permeated the marine ecosystem, including the polar regions and the deep sea. MP ingestion has been documented for an increasing number of marine species. However, to date, only few studies investigate their biological effects. The majority of marine plastics are considered to originate from land-based sources, including surface waters. Although they may be important transport pathways of MP, data from freshwater ecosystems is scarce. So far, only few studies provide evidence for the presence of MP in rivers and lakes. Data on MP uptake by freshwater invertebrates and fish is very limited. KNOWLEDGE GAPS: While the research on marine MP is more advanced, there are immense gaps of knowledge regarding freshwater MP. Data on their abundance is fragmentary for large and absent for small surface w...