Applied Chemical Engineering

A comprehensive review of the impact of microplastics on aquatic organisms: From ingestion to ecological consequences

Hiba Ibrahem Al-Khalidy

University of Kufa, Najaf, 540011, Iraq

Batool Mohammed Jabbar

University of Kufa, Najaf, 540011, Iraq

Hiba Mahmood Al-Nassar

University of Kufa, Najaf, 540011, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v8i4.5801

Keywords: microplastic; sources; toxicity; aquatic biota

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Abstract

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has become a major environmental concern due to their adverse effects on a wide range of aquatic organisms, including vertebrates (e.g., fish and marine mammals), invertebrates (e.g., mollusks and arthropods), and microorganisms such as bacteria and algae. Owing to their small size (<5 mm), MPs can penetrate biological membranes, interfere with cellular metabolic pathways, and induce various toxic effects. This review discusses the major sources of MPs, their pathways of distribution within aquatic systems, and their biological impacts. The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the scientific literature addressing the ecological consequences of MP exposure across different aquatic taxa.

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