Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China.
Sci Total Environ. 2023 Apr 20;870:161893. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161893. Epub 2023 Jan 31.
There have been numerous studies that have identified the presence of low-density microplastics (MPs) in the water column and sediments. The focus of current MPs research has shifted towards the interaction of MPs with marine organisms and their potential hazards, including the uptake characteristics, biological transport and toxicological effects of MPs, but the processes involved in the deposition behavior of MPs are still poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the vertical transport of MPs influenced by their physicochemical properties and marine organisms, and discuss their potential impact on MPs deposition. The physicochemical properties of MPs determine their initial distribution. The density, shape, and size of MPs influence their settling state in the marine environment. Marine biota play a key role in the transport of MPs to deep marine environment, mainly by changing the density and adsorption of MPs. Biofouling can alter the surface properties of MPs and increase the overall density, thus affecting the vertical flux of the plastic. Macroalgae may trap MPs particles by producing chemicals or by using electrostatic interactions. Marine swimming organisms ingest MPs and excrete them encapsulated in fecal particles, while the activity of marine benthic organisms may contribute to the transfer of MPs from surface sediments to deeper layers. In addition, MPs may be incorporated into organic particles produced by marine organisms such as marine snow or marine aggregates, increasing the vertical flux of MPs. However, due to the complexity of different sea areas and MPs properties, the deposition behavior of MPs may be the result of the interaction of multiple factors. Thus, the effects of MPs properties, marine organisms and the natural environment on MPs deposition in marine environment needs further research to fill this gap.
已经有许多研究表明，在水柱和沉积物中存在低密度微塑料（MPs）。目前 MPs 研究的重点已经转向 MPs 与海洋生物的相互作用及其潜在危害，包括 MPs 的摄取特征、生物传输和毒理学效应，但 MPs 沉积行为所涉及的过程仍知之甚少。在这篇综述中，我们总结了目前关于 MPs 受其物理化学性质和海洋生物影响的垂直传输的知识状况，并讨论了它们对 MPs 沉积的潜在影响。 MPs 的物理化学性质决定了它们的初始分布。 MPs 的密度、形状和大小影响它们在海洋环境中的沉降状态。海洋生物群在 MPs 向深海环境的运输中起着关键作用，主要是通过改变 MPs 的密度和吸附来实现。生物污损可以改变 MPs 的表面性质并增加其整体密度，从而影响塑料的垂直通量。藻类可能通过产生化学物质或利用静电相互作用来捕获 MPs 颗粒。海洋游泳生物摄取 MPs 并将其包裹在粪便颗粒中排泄，而海洋底栖生物的活动可能有助于将 MPs 从表层沉积物转移到更深的层。此外， MPs 可能被海洋生物产生的有机颗粒（如海洋雪或海洋聚集体）所包含，从而增加 MPs 的垂直通量。然而，由于不同海域和 MPs 性质的复杂性， MPs 的沉积行为可能是多种因素相互作用的结果。因此， MPs 性质、海洋生物和自然环境对海洋环境中 MPs 沉积的影响需要进一步研究来填补这一空白。
