Microplastics in aquatic environments: implications for Canadian ecosystems

Anderson, Julie C.; Park, Bradley J.; Palace, Vince P.

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2016.06.074

Cited by 624Microplastics and Plastic PollutionPharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Microplastics in aquatic environments: implications for Canadian ecosystems

Open access

Anderson, Julie C., Park, Bradley J., Palace, Vince P.·2016·Environmental Pollution

DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.06.074

Open this paper in CoChat — free account Open PDF

Abstract

Microplastics have been increasingly detected and quantified in marine and freshwater environments, and there are growing concerns about potential effects in biota. A literature review was conducted to summarize the current state of knowledge of microplastics in Canadian aquatic environments; specifically, the sources, environmental fate, behaviour, abundance, and toxicological effects in aquatic organisms. While we found that research and publications on these topics have increased dramatically since 2010, relatively few studies have assessed the presence, fate, and effects of microplastics in Canadian water bodies. We suggest that efforts to determine aquatic receptors at greatest risk of detrimental effects due to microplastic exposure, and their associated contaminants, are particularly warranted. There is also a need to address the gaps identified, with a particular focus on the species and conditions found in Canadian aquatic systems. These gaps include characterization of the presence of microplastics in Canadian freshwater ecosystems, identifying key sources of microplastics to these systems, and evaluating the presence of microplastics in Arctic waters and biota.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.06.074

Cites

113 of 113 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

P3HB has a density (1.23 g/cm3) that suggests a predisposition to settle down in aquatic environments, although turbulence, water flow, and thunderstorms can lead to its resuspension within the water column.
“Its density (1.23 g/cm3) suggests a predisposition to settle down in aquatic environments, although factors such as turbulence, water flow, and thunderstorms can lead to its resuspension within the water column [[24], [25], [26]].”
From Assessing the ecological consequences of biodegradable plastics: Acute, chronic and multigenerational impacts of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate microplastics on freshwater invertebrate Daphnia magna (2024) · cites this paper as [26]
Section 3.2 says denser plastics are more likely to sink and that turbulence and storm activity can resuspend high-density microplastics throughout the water column. It does not identify P3HB or give its density as 1.23 g/cm3, and it does not specifically say that water flow causes resuspension. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Microplastics in the marine environment
Andrady, A. L. (2011) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.05.030 · Cited by 8,105 · see citing works
Lost at sea: where is all the plastic?
Thompson, R. C., Olsen, Y., Mitchell, R. P., Davis, A., Rowland, S. J., John, A. W. G., McGonigle, D., & Russell, A. E. (2004) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1094559 · Cited by 7,765 · see citing works
Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments
Barnes, D. K. A., Galgani, F., Thompson, R. C., & Barlaz, M. (2009) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0205 · Cited by 6,126 · see citing works
Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: A review
Cole, M., Lindeque, P., Halsband, C., & Galloway, T. S. (2011) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.09.025 · Cited by 6,023 · see citing works
Microplastics in the marine environment: a review of the methods used for identification and quantification
Hidalgo-Ruz, V., Gutow, L., Thompson, R. C., & Thiel, M. (2012) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es2031505 · Cited by 5,440 · see citing works
Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Woldwide: Sources and Sinks
Browne, M. A., Crump, P., Niven, S. J., Teuten, E. L., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T. S., & Thompson, R. C. (2011) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es201811s · Cited by 4,838 · see citing works
Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans: more than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250,000 tons afloat at sea
Eriksen, M., Lebreton, L. C. M., Carson, H. S., Thiel, M., Moore, C. J., Borerro, J. C., Galgani, F., Ryan, P. G., & Reisser, J. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0111913 · Cited by 4,710 · see citing works
The Physical Impacts of Microplastics on Marine Organisms: A Review
Wright, S. L., Thompson, R. C., & Galloway, T. S. (2013) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.02.031 · Cited by 4,524 · see citing works
The pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: a review.
Derraik, J. G. B. (2002) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/s0025-326x(02)00220-5 · Cited by 4,042 · see citing works
Life in the “plastisphere”: microbial communities on plastic marine debris
Zettler, E. R., Mincer, T. J., & Amaral-Zettler, L. A. (2013) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es401288x · Cited by 3,368 · see citing works
Transport and release of chemicals from plastics to the environment and to wildlife
Teuten, E. L., Saquing, J. M., Knappe, D. R. U., Barlaz, M. A., Jonsson, S., Björn, A., Rowland, S. J., Thompson, R. C., Galloway, T. S., Yamashita, R., et al. (2009) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0284 · Cited by 2,938 · see citing works
Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton
Cole, M., Lindeque, P., Fileman, E., Halsband, C., Goodhead, R., Moger, J., & Galloway, T. S. (2013) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es400663f · Cited by 2,763 · see citing works
Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs
Eerkes-Medrano, D., Thompson, R. C., & Aldridge, D. C. (2015) · Water Research · doi:10.1016/j.watres.2015.02.012 · Cited by 2,638 · see citing works
Ingested Microscopic Plastic Translocates to the Circulatory System of the Mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.)
Browne, M. A., Dissanayake, A., Galloway, T. S., Lowe, D. M., & Thompson, R. C. (2008) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es800249a · Cited by 2,263 · see citing works
Microplastics in bivalves cultured for human consumption
Cauwenberghe, L. V., & Janssen, C. (2014) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2014.06.010 · Cited by 2,081 · see citing works
Occurrence of Microplastics in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Pelagic and Demersal Fish from the English Channel
Lusher, A. L., McHugh, M., & Thompson, R. C. (2013) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.11.028 · Cited by 2,075 · see citing works
Ingested plastic transfers hazardous chemicals to fish and induces hepatic stress
Rochman, C. M., Hoh, E., Kurobe, T., & Teh, S. J. (2013) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep03263 · Cited by 2,063 · see citing works
The deep sea is a major sink for microplastic debris
Woodall, L. C., Sanchez-Vidal, A., Canals, M., Paterson, G. L. J., Coppock, R., Sleight, V., Calafat, A., Rogers, A. D., Narayanaswamy, B. E., & Thompson, R. C. (2014) · Royal Society Open Science · doi:10.1098/rsos.140317 · Cited by 1,946 · see citing works
Plastic Resin Pellets as a Transport Medium for Toxic Chemicals in the Marine Environment
Mato, Y., Isobe, T., Takada, H., Kanehiro, H., OHTAKE, C., & Kaminuma, T. (2000) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es0010498 · Cited by 1,898 · see citing works
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes
Eriksen, M., Mason, S., Wilson, S., Box, C., Zellers, A., Edwards, W., Farley, H., & Amato, S. (2013) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.007 · Cited by 1,857 · cited 5× · see citing works
“This was based on proximity to urban areas and because the shape, size, colour, and elemental composition of the observedmicrobeadswere consistent with polyethylene beads used in two national brands of facial cleanser (Eriksen et al., 2013a).”
BackgroundInfluential
Microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Greater Paris
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Rocher, V., Saad, M., Renault, N., & Tassin, B. (2015) · Environmental Chemistry · doi:10.1071/en14167 · Cited by 1,764 · see citing works
Uptake and Effects of Microplastics on Cells and Tissue of the Blue Mussel Mytilus edulis L. after an Experimental Exposure
von Moos, N., Burkhardt-Holm, P., & Köhler, A. (2012) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es302332w · Cited by 1,697 · see citing works
Ingestion and transfer of microplastics in the planktonic food web
Setälä, O., Fleming-Lehtinen, V., & Lehtiniemi, M. (2014) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.10.013 · Cited by 1,635 · see citing works
The present and future of microplastic pollution in the marine environment
do Sul, J. A. I., & da Costa, M. F. (2013) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.10.036 · Cited by 1,604 · see citing works
Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments
Van Cauwenberghe, L., Vanreusel, A., Mees, J., & Janssen, C. R. (2013) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.08.013 · Cited by 1,575 · see citing works
Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know
Wagner, M., Scherer, C., Alvarez-Muñoz, D., Brennholt, N., Bourrain, X., Buchinger, S., Fries, E., Grosbois, C., Klasmeier, J., Marti, T., et al. (2014) · Environmental Sciences Europe · doi:10.1186/s12302-014-0012-7 · Cited by 1,543 · see citing works
Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: Microplastics in facial cleansers
Fendall, L. S., & Sewell, M. A. (2009) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.04.025 · Cited by 1,525 · see citing works
Trophic level transfer of microplastic: Mytilus edulis (L.) to Carcinus maenas (L.)
Farrell, P., & Nelson, K. (2013) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.01.046 · Cited by 1,507 · cited 6× · see citing works
“Once ingested, these particles can be transferred to higher trophic levels (Murray and Cowie, 2011; Farrell and Nelson, 2013; Set€ al€ a et al., 2014; de S a et al., 2015).”
BackgroundInfluential
Microplastic is an Abundant and Distinct Microbial Habitat in an Urban River
McCormick, A. R., Hoellein, T. J., Mason, S. A., Schluep, J., & Kelly, J. J. (2014) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es503610r · Cited by 1,486 · see citing works
High-levels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake
Free, C. M., Jensen, O. P., Mason, S. A., Eriksen, M., Williamson, N. J., & Boldgiv, B. (2014) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.001 · Cited by 1,467 · see citing works
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast
Claessens, M., Meester, S. D., Landuyt, L. V., Clerck, K. D., & Janssen, C. (2011) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.06.030 · Cited by 1,437 · see citing works
The Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics on Feeding, Function and Fecundity in the Marine Copepod Calanus helgolandicus
Cole, M., Lindeque, P., Fileman, E., Halsband, C., & Galloway, T. S. (2015) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es504525u · Cited by 1,308 · see citing works
Terminology for biorelated polymers and applications (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)
Vert, M., Doi, Y., Hellwich, K., Heß, M., Hodge, P., Kubisa, P., Rinaudo, M., & Schué, F. (2012) · Pure and Applied Chemistry · doi:10.1351/pac-rec-10-12-04 · Cited by 1,278 · see citing works
Microplastics in sediments: A review of techniques, occurrence and effects
Cauwenberghe, L. V., Devriese, L., Galgani, F., Robbens, J., & Janssen, C. (2015) · Marine Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2015.06.007 · Cited by 1,253 · see citing works
Spatial patterns of plastic debris along estuarine shorelines
Browne, M. A., Galloway, T. S., & Thompson, R. C. (2010) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es903784e · Cited by 1,246 · see citing works
Potential for plastics to transport hydrophobic contaminants.
Teuten, E., Rowland, S., Galloway, T., & Thompson, R. (2007) · Environmental Science and Technology · doi:10.1021/es071737s · Cited by 1,205 · see citing works
Microplastic Moves Pollutants and Additives to Worms, Reducing Functions Linked to Health and Biodiversity
Browne, M. A., Niven, S. J., Galloway, T. S., Rowland, S. J., & Thompson, R. C. (2013) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2013.10.012 · Cited by 1,160 · see citing works
Nanoplastic Affects Growth of S. obliquus and Reproduction of D. magna
Besseling, E., Wang, B., Lürling, M., & Koelmans, A. A. (2014) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es503001d · Cited by 1,138 · see citing works
Polystyrene Spherules in Coastal Waters
Carpenter, E. J., Anderson, S. J., Harvey, G. R., Miklas, H. P., & Peck, B. B. (1972) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.178.4062.749 · Cited by 1,115 · see citing works
Global warming releases microplastic legacy frozen in Arctic Sea ice
Obbard, R. W., Sadri, S., Wong, Y. Q., Khitun, A. A., Baker, I. A., & Thompson, R. C. (2014) · Earth s Future · doi:10.1002/2014ef000240 · Cited by 1,091 · see citing works
Microplastic ingestion decreases energy reserves in marine worms
Wright, S. L., Rowe, D., Thompson, R. C., & Galloway, T. S. (2013) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2013.10.068 · Cited by 1,079 · see citing works
Widespread distribution of microplastics in subsurface seawater in the NE Pacific Ocean
Desforges, J.-P. W., Galbraith, M., Dangerfield, N., & Ross, P. S. (2014) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.035 · Cited by 1,045 · see citing works
Physical Adsorption of Charged Plastic Nanoparticles Affects Algal Photosynthesis
Bhattacharya, P., Lin, S., Turner, J. P., & Ke, P. C. (2010) · The Journal of Physical Chemistry C · doi:10.1021/jp1054759 · Cited by 1,021 · see citing works
Ingestion of Microplastics by Zooplankton in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
Desforges, J.-P. W., Galbraith, M., & Ross, P. S. (2015) · Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology · doi:10.1007/s00244-015-0172-5 · Cited by 1,019 · see citing works
Effects of Microplastic on Fitness and PCB Bioaccumulation by the Lugworm Arenicola marina (L.)
Besseling, E., Wegner, A., Foekema, E. M., van den Heuvel-Greve, M. J., & Koelmans, A. A. (2013) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es302763x · Cited by 1,012 · see citing works
Characterisation, quantity and sorptive properties of microplastics extracted from cosmetics
Napper, I. E., Bakir, A., Rowland, S. J., & Thompson, R. C. (2015) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.07.029 · Cited by 989 · see citing works
Strong Sorption of PCBs to Nanoplastics, Microplastics, Carbon Nanotubes, and Fullerenes
Velzeboer, I., Kwadijk, C. J. A. F., & Koelmans, A. A. (2014) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es405721v · Cited by 939 · see citing works
Plastic contamination in the decapod crustacean Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Murray, F., & Cowie, P. R. (2011) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.03.032 · Cited by 931 · see citing works
Size-Dependent Effects of Micro Polystyrene Particles in the Marine Copepod Tigriopus japonicus
Lee, K.-W., Shim, W. J., Kwon, O. Y., & Kang, J.-H. (2013) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es401932b · Cited by 923 · see citing works
Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia
Mathalon, A., & Hill, P. S. (2014) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.02.018 · Cited by 920 · see citing works
Association of metals with plastic production pellets in the marine environment
Ashton, K., Holmes, L., & Turner, A. E. (2010) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.07.014 · Cited by 872 · see citing works
Microplastic – an emerging contaminant of potential concern?
Browne, M. A., Galloway, T., & Thompson, R. (2007) · Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management · doi:10.1002/ieam.5630030412 · Cited by 856 · see citing works
The Complex Interaction between Marine Debris and Toxic Chemicals in the Ocean
Engler, R. E. (2012) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es3027105 · Cited by 776 · see citing works
Early warning signs of endocrine disruption in adult fish from the ingestion of polyethylene with and without sorbed chemical pollutants from the marine environment
Rochman, C. M., Kurobe, T., Flores, I., & Teh, S. J. (2014) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.06.051 · Cited by 762 · see citing works
Synthetic fibers as an indicator of land application of sludge
Zubris, K. A. V., & Richards, B. K. (2005) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2005.04.013 · Cited by 723 · see citing works
Single and combined effects of microplastics and pyrene on juveniles (0+ group) of the common goby Pomatoschistus microps (teleostei: gobiidae)
Oliveira, M., Ribeiro, A., Hylland, K., & Guilhermino, L. (2013) · Ecological Indicators · doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.06.019 · Cited by 722 · see citing works
Sources and sinks of microplastics in Canadian Lake Ontario nearshore, tributary and beach sediments
Ballent, A., Corcoran, P. L., Madden, O., Helm, P. A., & Longstaffe, F. J. (2016) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.037 · Cited by 700 · see citing works
Contamination of beach sediments of a subalpine lake with microplastic particles
Imhof, H. K., Ivleva, N. P., Schmid, J., Niessner, R., & Laforsch, C. (2013) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2013.09.001 · Cited by 699 · see citing works
Plastics and beaches: A degrading relationship
Corcoran, P. L., Biesinger, M. C., & Grifi, M. D. (2008) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.08.022 · Cited by 683 · see citing works
Microplastics in Four Estuarine Rivers in the Chesapeake Bay, U.S.A.
Yonkos, L. T., Friedel, E. A., Perez-Reyes, A. C., Ghosal, S., & Arthur, C. (2014) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es5036317 · Cited by 673 · see citing works
Microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean: Validated and opportunistic sampling
Lusher, A., Burke, A., O’Connor, I., & Officer, R. (2014) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.08.023 · Cited by 658 · see citing works
Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in sediments from Norderney
Dekiff, J. H., Remy, D., Klasmeier, J., & Fries, E. (2014) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.11.019 · Cited by 633 · see citing works
Accumulation and Embryotoxicity of Polystyrene Nanoparticles at Early Stage of Development of Sea Urchin Embryos Paracentrotus lividus
Della Torre, C., Bergami, E., Salvati, A., Faleri, C., Cirino, P., Dawson, K. A., & Corsi, I. (2014) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es502569w · Cited by 632 · see citing works
Responses of Hyalella azteca to acute and chronic microplastic exposures
Au, S. Y., Bruce, T. F., Bridges, W. C., & Klaine, S. J. (2015) · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry · doi:10.1002/etc.3093 · Cited by 628 · see citing works
Deposit- and suspension-feeding sea cucumbers (Echinodermata) ingest plastic fragments
Graham, E. R., & Thompson, J. T. (2008) · Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology · doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2008.09.007 · Cited by 621 · see citing works
Accumulations of microplastic on shorelines worldwide: sources and sinks
Browne, M. A. O., Crump, P., Niven, S. J., Louise, E., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T. S., & Thompson, R. C. (2011) · Cited by 614 · see citing works
Adsorption of trace metals by microplastic pellets in fresh water
Turner, A., & Holmes, L. (2015) · Environmental Chemistry · doi:10.1071/en14143 · Cited by 595 · see citing works
Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
Fossi, M. C., Panti, C., Guerranti, C., Coppola, D., Giannetti, M., Marsili, L., & Minutoli, R. (2012) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.08.013 · Cited by 589 · see citing works
Altered Behavior, Physiology, and Metabolism in Fish Exposed to Polystyrene Nanoparticles
Mattsson, K., Ekvall, M. T., Hansson, L.-A., Linse, S., Malmendal, A., & Cedervall, T. (2015) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es5053655 · Cited by 581 · see citing works
Sorption capacity of plastic debris for hydrophobic organic chemicals
Lee, H., Shim, W. J., & Kwon, J. (2013) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.023 · Cited by 575 · see citing works
Microplastic ingestion by scleractinian corals
Hall, N. M., Berry, K., Rintoul, L., & Hoogenboom, M. O. (2015) · Marine Biology · doi:10.1007/s00227-015-2619-7 · Cited by 571 · see citing works
Effects of microplastics on juveniles of the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps): Confusion with prey, reduction of the predatory performance and efficiency, and possible influence of developmental conditions
de Sá, L. C., Luís, L. G., & Guilhermino, L. M. (2014) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2014.10.026 · Cited by 567 · see citing works
Interactions between trace metals and plastic production pellets under estuarine conditions
Holmes, L., Turner, A., & Thompson, R. (2014) · Marine Chemistry · doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2014.06.001 · Cited by 566 · see citing works
Microplastic pollution in St. Lawrence River sediments
Castañeda, R. A., Avlijaš, S., Simard, M. A., & Ricciardi, A. P. (2014) · Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences · doi:10.1139/cjfas-2014-0281 · Cited by 563 · see citing works
Beyond the ocean: contamination of freshwater ecosystems with (micro-)plastic particles
Dris, R., Imhof, H. K., Sánchez, W., Gaspéri, J., Galgani, F., Tassin, B., & Laforsch, C. (2015) · Environmental Chemistry · doi:10.1071/en14172 · Cited by 560 · see citing works
Effects of nanopolystyrene on the feeding behavior of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.)
Wegner, A., Besseling, E., Foekema, E. M., Kamermans, P., & Koelmans, A. A. (2012) · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry · doi:10.1002/etc.1984 · Cited by 550 · see citing works
Transport of persistent organic pollutants by microplastics in estuarine conditions
Bakir, A., Rowland, S. J., & Thompson, R. C. (2014) · Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science · doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2014.01.004 · Cited by 536 · see citing works
Plastic as a Carrier of POPs to Aquatic Organisms: A Model Analysis
Koelmans, A. A., Besseling, E., Wegner, A., & Foekema, E. M. (2013) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es401169n · Cited by 526 · see citing works
Leaching of plastic additives to marine organisms
Koelmans, A. A., Besseling, E., & Foekema, E. M. (2014) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.12.013 · Cited by 501 · see citing works
Do wastewater treatment plants act as a potential point source of microplastics? Preliminary study in the coastal Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea
Talvitie, J., Heinonen, M., Pääkkönen, J.-P., Vahtera, E., Mikola, A., Setälä, O., & Vahala, R. (2015) · Water Science & Technology · doi:10.2166/wst.2015.360 · Cited by 500 · see citing works
Competitive sorption of persistent organic pollutants onto microplastics in the marine environment.
Bakir, A., Rowland, S., & Thompson, R. (2012) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.09.010 · Cited by 487 · see citing works
Evidence of microplastics in samples of zooplankton from Portuguese coastal waters
Frias, J. P. G. L., Otero, V., & Sobral, P. (2014) · Marine Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.01.001 · Cited by 458 · see citing works
Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia
Laglbauer, B. J. L., Franco-Santos, R. M., Andreu-Cazenave, M., Brunelli, L., Papadatou, M., Palatinus, A., Grego, M., & Deprez, T. (2014) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.09.036 · Cited by 456 · see citing works
Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect
Goldstein, M. C., Rosenberg, M. F., & Cheng, L. (2012) · Biology Letters · doi:10.1098/rsbl.2012.0298 · Cited by 444 · see citing works
Origins and Biological Accumulation of Small Plastic Particles in Fur Seals from Macquarie Island
Eriksson, C., & Burton, H. R. (2003) · AMBIO · doi:10.1579/0044-7447-32.6.380 · Cited by 430 · see citing works
Hidden plastics of Lake Ontario, Canada and their potential preservation in the sediment record
Corcoran, P. L., Norris, T., Ceccanese, T., Walzak, M. J., Helm, P. A., & Märvin, C. H. (2015) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2015.04.009 · Cited by 429 · see citing works
Plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes: A review
Driedger, A., Dürr, H. H., Mitchell, K., & Cappellen, P. V. (2015) · Journal of Great Lakes Research · doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2014.12.020 · Cited by 422 · see citing works
Distribution and Degradation of Fresh Water Plastic Particles Along the Beaches of Lake Huron, Canada
Zbyszewski, M., & Corcoran, P. L. (2011) · Water, Air, & Soil Pollution · doi:10.1007/s11270-011-0760-6 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
Wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers are contaminated by microplastics: Preliminary study and first evidence
Sánchez, W., Bender, C., & Porcher, J. (2013) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2013.11.004 · Cited by 407 · see citing works
Ingestion of Microplastic Has Limited Impact on a Marine Larva
Kaposi, K. L., Mos, B., Kelaher, B. P., & Dworjanyn, S. A. (2014) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es404295e · Cited by 406 · see citing works
Modelled transport of benthic marine microplastic pollution in the Nazaré Canyon
Ballent, A., Pando, S., Purser, A., Juliano, M., & Thomsen, L. (2013) · Biogeosciences · doi:10.5194/bg-10-7957-2013 · Cited by 359 · see citing works
A comparison of neustonic plastic and zooplankton at different depths near the southern California shore.
Lattin, G., Moore, C. J., Zellers, A., Moore, S. L., & Weisberg, S. (2004) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.01.020 · Cited by 352 · see citing works
Evaluating the impacts of marine debris on cetaceans
Baulch, S., & Perry, C. (2014) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.050 · Cited by 301 · see citing works
A comparison of neustonic plastic and zooplankton abundance in southern California’s coastal waters
Moore, C. J., Moore, S., Weisberg, S. B., Lattin, G., & Zellers, A. (2002) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/s0025-326x(02)00150-9 · Cited by 294 · see citing works
Fate of Microplastics in the Marine Isopod Idotea emarginata
Hämer, J., Gutow, L., Köhler, A., & Saborowski, R. (2014) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es501385y · Cited by 286 · see citing works
Why small plastic particles may pose a big problem in the oceans
Betts, K. S. (2008) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es802970v · Cited by 242 · see citing works
International survey on the distribution of stranded and buried litter on beaches along the Sea of Japan
Kusui, T., & Noda, M. (2003) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/s0025-326x(02)00478-2 · Cited by 235 · see citing works
Marine Strategy Framework Directive Task Group 10 Report: Marine litter
Galgani, F., David, F., Jan, A. V. F., Katsanevakis, S., Maes, T., Mouat, J., Oosterbaan, L., Poitou, I., Hanke, G., Thompson, R. C., et al. (2010) · Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling · doi:10.2788/86941 · Cited by 228 · see citing works
Benthic plastic debris in marine and fresh water environments
Corcoran, P. L. (2015) · Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts · doi:10.1039/c5em00188a · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Marine litter in the Northeast Atlantic Region: assessment and priorities for response
Other, & Lozano, R. L. (2009) · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Microplastics in oceans
Zarfl, C., Fleet, D. M., Fries, E., Galgani, F., Gerdts, G., Hanke, G., & Matthies, M. (2011) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.02.040 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Plastic litter in the sea
Depledge, M. H., Galgani, F., Panti, C., Caliani, I., Casini, S., & Fossi, M. C. (2013) · Marine Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2013.10.002 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Marine mammals and debris in coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada
Williams, R., Ashe, E., & O’Hara, P. D. (2011) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.02.029 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Microplastics in marine environments: Occurrence, distribution and effects
Bråte, I. L. N., Halsband, C., Allan, I. J., & Thomas, K. V. (2014) · BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Seaweeds and plastic debris can influence the survival of faecal indicator organisms in beach environments
Quilliam, R. S., Jamieson, J., & Oliver, D. M. (2014) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.011 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Microplastic survey of the Dutch environment : Novel data set of microplastics in North Sea sediments, treated wastewater effluents and marine biota
Leslie, H. A., van Velzen, M. J. M., & Vethaak, A. D. (2013) · Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Review of Microplastics in Cosmetics: Scientific background on a potential source of plastic particulate marine litter to support decision-making
Leslie, H. A. (2014) · VU Research Portal · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Out of sight, but no longer out of mind: Microplastics as a global pollutant
Ross, P. S., & Morales‐Caselles, C. (2015) · Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management · doi:10.1002/ieam.1681 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Test programs for treatment of ballast water discharges need transparency and better science
Cohen, A. N. (2015) · Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management · doi:10.1002/ieam.1684 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Micro plastics in the oceans and their effect on themarine fauna
Andersson, E. (2014) · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Frequently asked questions
(2012) · European Microwave Conference (EuMC) · doi:10.23919/eumc.2012.6459351 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
The Occurrence and Amount of Microplastics Ingested By Fishes in the Watersheds of the Gulf of Mexico
Phillips, M. (2015) · 145th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The Great Lakes land-based marine debris action plan
Lowe, S. (2014) · Cited by 2 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 7

Arthur, C.A., Baker, J., Bamford, H., 2008a. Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence, Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine Debris. University of Washington, Tacoma, Tacoma, WA.
Browne, M.A., 2008. Ingested microscopic plastic translocates to the circulatory system of the mussel M edulis. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42 (13), 5026e5031.
Dean, B.Y., Corcoran, P.L., Helm, P., Ballent, A.M., 2016. Microplastics in beach and bottom sediments of Lake Erie and its tributaries. In: Abstract Submitted for the 59 th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research, International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Guelph, Ontario, June 6-10, 2016.
Gilman, N.E., 2013. Examining Spatial Concentrations of Marine Micro-plastics on Shorelines in South Puget Sound. M.ES thesis. Evergreen State College, Wash- ington, 101 pp.
Helm, P., Zimmer, G., Stones, M., Thibeau, J., Sims, A., Thorburn, B., Page, W., 2016. Microplastics in and entering nearshore surface waters of the lower Great Lakes. In: Abstract Submitted for the 59 th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research, International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Guelph, Ontario, June 6-10, 2016.
Munno, K.E., Helm, P., Jackson, D., Pourier, D., Bhavsar, S.P., Chong-Kit, R., Petro, S., 2016. Microplastic ingestion by shape in several species of fish from Lake Ontario. In: Abstract Submitted for the 59 th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research, International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Guelph, Ontario, June 6-10, 2016.
Rennie, M.D., Anderson, P.J., 2016. First estimate of microplastic pollution in Lake Winnipeg. In: Abstract Submitted for the 59 th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research, International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Guelph, Ontario, June 6-10, 2016.

Sorted by citations

The plastic in microplastics: A review
Andrady, A. L. (2017) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.01.082 · Cited by 2,372 · see citing works
Trophic transfer of microplastics and mixed contaminants in the marine food web and implications for human health
Carbery, M., O'Connor, W., & Palanisami, T. (2018) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2018.03.007 · Cited by 1,425 · see citing works
Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions
Kumar, R., Verma, A., Shome, A., Sinha, R., Sinha, S., Jha, P. K., Kumar, R., Kumar, P., Shubham, Das, S., et al. (2021) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su13179963 · Cited by 1,111 · see citing works
Sinks and sources: assessing microplastic abundance in river sediment and deposit feeders in an austral temperate urban river system
Nel, H. A., Dalu, T., & Wasserman, R. J. (2018) · Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.298 · Cited by 490 · see citing works
A review on microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment: Their occurrence, exposure routes, toxic studies, and potential effects on human health.
Sangkham, S., Faikhaw, O., Munkong, N., Sakunkoo, P., Arunlertaree, C., Chavali, M., Mousazadeh, M., & Tiwari, A. (2022) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113832 · Cited by 465 · see citing works
Polystyrene microplastics induced female reproductive toxicity in mice
Liu, Z., Zhuan, Q., Zhang, L., Meng, L., Fu, X., & Hou, Y. (2022) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127629 · Cited by 444 · see citing works
Exposure to microplastics (<10 μm) associated to plastic bottles mineral water consumption: The first quantitative study
Zuccarello, P., Ferrante, M., Cristaldi, A., Copat, C., Grasso, A., Sangregorio, D., Fiore, M., & Oliveri Conti, G. (2019) · Water Research · doi:10.1016/j.watres.2019.03.091 · Cited by 425 · see citing works
Maternal transfer of nanoplastics to offspring in zebrafish (Danio rerio): A case study with nanopolystyrene
Pitt, J. A., Trevisan, R., Massarsky, A., Kozal, J. S., Levin, E. D., & Di Giulio, R. T. (2018) · Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.186 · Cited by 413 · see citing works
Microplastics in lakes and rivers: An issue of emerging significance to limnology
D’Avignon, G., Gregory-Eaves, I., & Ricciardi, A. (2022) · Environmental Reviews · doi:10.1139/er-2021-0048 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Tracing the fate of microplastic carbon in the aquatic food web by compound-specific isotope analysis
Taipale, S. J., Peltomaa, E., Kukkonen, J. V. K., Kainz, M. J., Kautonen, P., & Tiirola, M. (2019) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55990-2 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
A systematic review of the literature on plastic pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes and its effects on freshwater biota
Earn, A., Bucci, K., & Rochman, C. M. (2021) · Journal of Great Lakes Research · doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2020.11.001 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Assessing the ecological consequences of biodegradable plastics: Acute, chronic and multigenerational impacts of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate microplastics on freshwater invertebrate Daphnia magna
Procházková, P., Kalčíková, G., Maršálková, E., Brtnický, M., Gargošová, H. Z., & Kučerík, J. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36302 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Its density (1.23 g/cm 3 ) suggests a predisposition to settle down in aquatic environments, although factors such as turbulence, water flow, and thunderstorms can lead to its resuspension within the water column [24 – 26].”
BackgroundInfluential
Identification, characterisation and implication of releasing microplastics from personal care and cosmetic products in India
Yadav, P., Rani, M., & Chaudhary, S. (2025) · Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences · doi:10.1007/s13530-025-00262-y · Cited by 9 · see citing works

Microplastics in marine biota: A review
Ugwu, K., Herrera, A., & Gómez, M. (2021) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112540 · Cited by 416 · see citing works
Occurrence and pathways of microplastics, quantification protocol and adverse effects of microplastics towards freshwater and seawater biota
Yahya, H., Karim, S. N., Yahaya, N., Halim, S. A. S. S. A., Zanuari, F. I., & Yahya, H. N. (2023) · Food Research · doi:10.26656/fr.2017.7(5).133 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Microplastics Pollution in the Marine Environment
Barboza, L. G. A., Frias, J. P. G. L., Booth, A. M., Vieira, L. R., Masura, J., Baker, J. E., Foster, G., & Guilhermino, L. M. (2018) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-805052-1.00020-6 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Hazards of microplastics on marine ecosystems and response strategies
Yang, Y. (2024) · E3S Web of Conferences · doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202455303007 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Microplastics in Freshwater Environments and Implications for Aquatic Ecosystems: A Mini Review and Future Directions in Ghana
Acquah, J., Liu, H., Hao, S., Ling, Y., & Ji, J. (2021) · Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection · doi:10.4236/gep.2021.93005 · Cited by 12 · see citing works

Authors: Anderson, J. C., Park, B. J., & Palace, V. P.
Affiliations: Stantec (Canada) (CA)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (CA)
Corresponding author: Anderson, Julie C.
ORCID: Anderson, Julie C.
Palace, Vince P.
Venue: Environmental Pollution
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2016-11
Volume: 218
Pages: 269-280
ISSN: 0269-7491 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.06.074
OpenAlex: W2497688818
Cited by: 624
References: 113
Citations by year: 2026: 43 · 2025: 77 · 2024: 80 · 2023: 62 · 2022: 93 · 2021: 85 · 2020: 80 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 2
FWCI: 2.02
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by-nc-nd
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: Environmental Pollution (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
National Contaminants Advisory Group
Topics: Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
Keywords: microplastics, aquatic environment, marine environment, microplastic sources, environmental fate, microplastic toxicity, aquatic organisms, Arctic waters, research gaps
MeSH terms: Canada, Environmental Monitoring, Fresh Water, Oceans and Seas, Plastics, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Ecosystem, Biota, Aquatic Organisms

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Microplastics in aquatic environments: implications for Canadian ecosystems

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Self-check

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks