Vol. 24 No. 1 (2025): Mapana Journal of Sciences
Review Articles

Silent Invaders: A Review of Microplastic Accumulation and Its Impacts on Marine Commercial Invertebrates

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  • Devika P Uday,
  • Chitra Som R S,
  • Balamurali R S
Devika P Uday
Department of Zoology, Mahatma Gandhi College, Kesavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Chitra Som R S
Department of Zoology, HHMSPB NSS College for Women, Neeramankara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Balamurali R S
Mahatma Gandhi College, Kesavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12723/mjs.72.9

Published 2025-04-05

Keywords

  • Microplastics,
  • Marine Ecosystem,
  • Commercial Invertebrates,
  • Impacts,
  • Hazards to humans

Copyright (c) 2025

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Abstract

A new class of contaminants known as microplastics (MPs) has emerged in our environment due to the increased production and consumption of plastic products. Among the various sources of microplastics are larger plastic wastes, synthetic fabrics, and industrial goods. Microplastics, from surface waters to deep-sea sediments, are everywhere in the marine food web. Marine environments, especially marine invertebrates, which provide essential seafood, are being threatened by microplastic pollution. Marine invertebrates are particularly vulnerable to the ingestion, bioaccumulation, and related toxicological consequences of microplastics despite their crucial roles in trophic dynamics and biogeochemical cycles. This review article investigates microplastics' prevalence, sources, and effects on marine invertebrates worldwide. Results from multiple studies are compiled in this review to illustrate the extent of microplastic pollution in different marine environments and the biological consequences for invertebrate species. Important discoveries reveal that various marine invertebrates consume microplastics, negatively impacting their physiology, reproduction rates, and survival. The review addresses the trophic transfer of microplastics within food webs, the interaction with co-contaminants, and the potential for long-term ecological consequences. As part of the review, gaps in current research are identified and future directions are suggested for investigating the effects of microplastic pollution on marine ecosystems.

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