State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100088, China.
State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100088, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 510006, China.
Sci Total Environ. 2023 Jun 20;878:163048. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163048. Epub 2023 Mar 28.
Microplastics, as emerging pollutants, have become a global environmental concern. Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs) are threatened by microplastics. Although substantial studies have explored the dynamics and threats of microplastics in BCEs, the fate and driving factors of microplastics in BCEs on a global scale remain largely unknown. Here, the occurrence, driving factors, and risks of microplastics in global BCEs were investigated by synthesizing a global meta-analysis. The results showed that the abundance of microplastics in BCEs has notable spatial differences worldwide, with the highest microplastic concentrations in Asia, especially in South and Southeast Asia. Microplastic abundance is influenced by the vegetation habitat, climate, coastal environment, and river runoff. The interaction of geographic location, ecosystem type, coastal environment, and climate enhanced the effects of microplastic distribution. In addition, we found that microplastic accumulation in organisms varied according to feeding habits and body weight. Significant accumulation was observed in large fish; however, growth dilution effects were also observed. The effect of microplastics on the organic carbon content of sediments from BCEs varies by ecosystem; microplastic concentrations do not necessarily increase organic carbon sequestration. Global BCEs are at a high risk of microplastic pollution, with high microplastic abundance and toxicity driving the high pollution risk. Finally, this review provides scientific evidence that will form the basis for future microplastic research, focusing on the transport of microplastics in BCEs; effects on the growth, development, and primary productivity of blue carbon plants; and soil biogeochemical cycles.
微塑料作为新兴污染物，已成为全球关注的环境问题。蓝碳生态系统（BCEs）受到微塑料的威胁。尽管大量研究已经探讨了微塑料在 BCEs 中的动态和威胁，但全球范围内 BCEs 中微塑料的命运和驱动因素在很大程度上仍然未知。在这里，通过综合全球荟萃分析，研究了全球 BCEs 中微塑料的发生、驱动因素和风险。结果表明，BCEs 中微塑料的丰度在全球范围内具有显著的空间差异，亚洲，特别是南亚和东南亚的微塑料浓度最高。微塑料丰度受植被生境、气候、沿海环境和河流径流量的影响。地理位置、生态系统类型、沿海环境和气候的相互作用增强了微塑料分布的影响。此外，我们发现生物体内微塑料的积累因摄食习性和体重而异。在大型鱼类中观察到明显的积累，但也观察到生长稀释效应。微塑料对 BCEs 沉积物有机碳含量的影响因生态系统而异；微塑料浓度不一定会增加有机碳的固存。全球 BCEs 面临着微塑料污染的高风险，高浓度的微塑料和毒性导致了高污染风险。最后，本综述提供了科学证据，为未来的微塑料研究提供了基础，重点关注 BCEs 中微塑料的运输；对蓝碳植物生长、发育和初级生产力的影响；以及土壤生物地球化学循环。
