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Distribution and Impact of Microplastics in the Aquatic Systems: A Review of Ecotoxicological Effects on Biota

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Microplastic Pollution

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants attracting attention due to there have been widely distributed in the aquatic and terrestrial environment. MPs have been quantified and identified in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments from biota samples. May originate from macroplastic waste due to improper management of them and also from the primary sources, so that emerges as a problem for the aquatic biota. This review aimed to discuss (a) the occurrence of MP, (b) the interaction and uptake mechanism, (c) effects on the biota, (d) microplastics and associated pollutant effect on the aquatic biota. The retrieved literature confirmed us MP and its associated contaminants have adverse effects on aquatic biota, thereafter affect human health through the food chain. Finally, future research directives and recommendations on the MP pollution research, emphasized on the experimental ecotoxicological studies and risk assessments of MP to aquatic organisms were highlighted.

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Abbreviations

AChE:

Anti-cholinesterase

Ag:

Silver

BAF:

Bioaccumulation Factor

BPA:

Bisphenol A

CAT:

Catalase

Cu:

Copper

DDT:

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane

EDC:

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

EROD:

Ethoxyresorufin-O-Deethylase

FPs:

Fine Plastic Particles

FTIR:

Fourier Transform Infrared

FTIR-ATR:

Fourier Transform Infrared- Attenuated Total Reflectance

HDL:

High-density lipoprotein

HDPE:

High-Density Polyethylene

Hg:

Mercury

HOC:

Hydrophobic organic contaminants

IDH:

Isocitrate Dehydrogenase

LDH:

Enzymes Lactate Dehydrogenase

LDPE:

Low-Density Polyethylene,

LPO:

Lipid Oxidation

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

MPs:

Microplastics

NOM:

Natural organic matter

Ni:

Nickel

NPs:

Nanoparticles

PA:

Polyamide

PAHs:

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

PAN:

Polyacrylonitrile

PAN:

Polyacrylonitrile

PBDEs:

Polybrominated Diphenyl ethers

PCBs:

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank those organizations and scholars whom we have used previously findings related to this work. The authors also apologize to all intellectuals, and organizations whose involvement in the field of microplastic pollution and ecotoxicity may have been reviewed by the mistake or inadequately recognized.

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  1. Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Tadele Assefa Aragaw & Bassazin Ayalew Mekonnen

  2. Bahir Dar Energy Center, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Bassazin Ayalew Mekonnen

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  1. Tadele Assefa Aragaw
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Correspondence to Tadele Assefa Aragaw .

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    Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu

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Aragaw, T.A., Mekonnen, B.A. (2021). Distribution and Impact of Microplastics in the Aquatic Systems: A Review of Ecotoxicological Effects on Biota. In: Muthu, S.S. (eds) Microplastic Pollution. Sustainable Textiles: Production, Processing, Manufacturing & Chemistry. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0297-9_3

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