Cited by 1,955Microplastics and Plastic PollutionEnvironmental Toxicology and EcotoxicologyPharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Interactions of microplastic debris throughout the marine ecosystem

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Galloway, Tamara S., Cole, Matthew, Lewis, Ceri·2017·Nature Ecology & Evolution

Abstract

Marine microscopic plastic (microplastic) debris is a modern societal issue, illustrating the challenge of balancing the convenience of plastic in daily life with the prospect of causing ecological harm by careless disposal. Here we develop the concept of microplastic as a complex, dynamic mixture of polymers and additives, to which organic material and contaminants can successively bind to form an 'ecocorona', increasing the density and surface charge of particles and changing their bioavailability and toxicity. Chronic exposure to microplastic is rarely lethal, but can adversely affect individual animals, reducing feeding and depleting energy stores, with knock-on effects for fecundity and growth. We explore the extent to which ecological processes could be impacted, including altered behaviours, bioturbation and impacts on carbon flux to the deep ocean. We discuss how microplastic compares with other anthropogenic pollutants in terms of ecological risk, and consider the role of science and society in tackling this global issue in the future.

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Lusher, A. in Marine Anthropogenic Litter (eds Melanie Bergmann, Lars Gutow, & Michael Klages) 245-307 (Springer, 2015).
  2. Galloway, T. S. in Marine anthropogenic litter 343-366 (Springer, 2015).
  3. Koelmans, A. A., Besseling, E. & Shim, W. J. in Marine Anthropogene Litter (eds M. Bergmann, L. Gutow, & M. Klages) 325-340 (Springer, 2015).
  4. Weis, J. S. Developmental and behavioural effects of marine pollution. (Springer, 2014).

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Authors
Galloway, T. S., Cole, M., & Lewis, C.
Affiliations
University of Exeter (GB)
Corresponding author
Galloway, Tamara S.
Venue
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Published
2017-04-20
Volume
1
Issue
5
Pages
116-116
ISSN
2397-334X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2605932959
Cited by
1,955
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 185 · 2025: 269 · 2024: 261 · 2023: 300 · 2022: 302 · 2021: 227 · 2020: 200 · 2019: 123 · 2018: 70 · 2017: 18
FWCI
5.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Ecology & Evolution (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR) (acceptedVersion)
  • Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (acceptedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
Funders
Natural Environment Research Council (NE/L007010/1, NE/L007010, NE/N006178/1, NE/N006178, L007010, NE/L003988/1)
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 › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
Keywords
marine plastic pollution, polymer additives, bioavailability, microplastic toxicity, long-term exposure, behavioral effects, bioturbation, ecological risk, anthropogenic pollutants, plastic pollution mitigation

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