Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Oct 10;946:173963. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173963. Epub 2024 Jun 18.
Beneath the surface of our ecosystems, microplastics (MPs) silently loom as a significant threat. These minuscule pollutants, invisible to the naked eye, wreak havoc on living organisms and disrupt the delicate balance of our environment. As we delve into a trove of data and reports, a troubling narrative unfolds: MPs pose a grave risk to both health and food chains with their diverse compositions and chemical characteristics. Nevertheless, the peril extends further. MPs infiltrate the environment and intertwine with other pollutants. Worldwide, microplastic levels fluctuate dramatically, ranging from 0.001 to 140 particles.m in water and 0.2 to 8766 particles.g in sediment, painting a stark picture of pervasive pollution. Coastal and marine ecosystems bear the brunt, with each organism laden with thousands of microplastic particles. MPs possess a remarkable ability to absorb a plethora of contaminants, and their environmental behavior is influenced by factors such as molecular weight and pH. Reported adsorption capacities of MPs vary greatly, spanning from 0.001 to 12,700 μg·g. These distressing figures serve as a clarion call, demanding immediate action and heightened environmental consciousness. Legislation, innovation, and sustainable practices stand as indispensable defenses against this encroaching menace. Grasping the intricate interplay between microplastics and pollutants is paramount, guiding us toward effective mitigation strategies and preserving our health ecosystems.
在我们生态系统的表面之下，微塑料（MPs）悄然构成了重大威胁。这些肉眼看不见的微小污染物对生物造成严重破坏，并扰乱了环境的微妙平衡。当我们深入研究大量数据和报告时，一个令人不安的故事浮现出来：由于其多样的组成和化学特性，MPs 对健康和食物链构成了严重威胁。然而，危险还不止于此。MPs 渗透到环境中并与其他污染物交织在一起。在全球范围内，微塑料的水平波动很大，水中的浓度范围为 0.001 到 140 个/毫升，沉积物中的浓度范围为 0.2 到 8766 个/克，描绘了一幅普遍存在污染的严峻图景。沿海和海洋生态系统首当其冲，每个生物体都携带数千个微塑料颗粒。MPs 具有吸收大量污染物的非凡能力，其环境行为受分子量和 pH 值等因素的影响。报道的 MPs 吸附容量差异很大，范围从 0.001 到 12700μg/g。这些令人痛心的数字敲响了警钟，要求立即采取行动和提高环境意识。立法、创新和可持续实践是应对这一侵袭性威胁的不可或缺的防御手段。理解微塑料和污染物之间的复杂相互作用至关重要，这有助于我们制定有效的缓解策略并保护我们的健康生态系统。
