Cited by 4,524Microplastics and Plastic PollutionEnvironmental Toxicology and EcotoxicologyMarine Ecology and Invasive Species

The Physical Impacts of Microplastics on Marine Organisms: A Review

Wright, Stephanie L., Thompson, Richard C., Galloway, Tamara S.·2013·Environmental Pollution

Abstract

Plastic debris at the micro-, and potentially also the nano-scale, are widespread in the environment. Microplastics have accumulated in oceans and sediments worldwide in recent years, with maximum concentrations reaching 100 000 particles m(3). Due to their small size, microplastics may be ingested by low trophic fauna, with uncertain consequences for the health of the organism. This review focuses on marine invertebrates and their susceptibility to the physical impacts of microplastic uptake. Some of the main points discussed are (1) an evaluation of the factors contributing to the bioavailability of microplastics including size and density; (2) an assessment of the relative susceptibility of different feeding guilds; (3) an overview of the factors most likely to influence the physical impacts of microplastics such as accumulation and translocation; and (4) the trophic transfer of microplastics. These findings are important in guiding future marine litter research and management strategies.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.02.031

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  • MPs can induce toxic effects on organisms, affecting normal functioning, and may cause organ-specific toxicities such as neuronal, digestive, reproductive, and developmental toxicity.

    “MPs can induce toxic effects on organisms, affecting normal functioning, and may cause several organ-specific toxicities, such as neuronal, digestive, reproductive, and developmental toxicity [17,18,19,20,21,22,23].”

    From Is Wild Marine Biota Affected by Microplastics? (2022) · cites this paper as [23]

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Authors
Wright, S. L., Thompson, R. C., & Galloway, T. S.
Affiliations
  • University of Exeter (GB)
  • University of Plymouth (GB)
Corresponding author
Wright, Stephanie L.
Venue
Environmental Pollution
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-07
Volume
178
Pages
483-492
ISSN
0269-7491 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2003022112
Cited by
4,524
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 357 · 2025: 520 · 2024: 539 · 2023: 535 · 2022: 544 · 2021: 510 · 2020: 475 · 2019: 341 · 2018: 266 · 2017: 162 · 2016: 123 · 2015: 91 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 20
FWCI
6.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Pollution (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
Keywords
microplastics, marine invertebrates, bioavailability, particle size and density, trophic guilds, microplastic ingestion, microplastic accumulation, translocation, trophic transfer, marine litter, plastic pollution
MeSH terms
Animals, Environmental Monitoring, Plastics, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Aquatic Organisms

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