A meta-research analysis on the biological impact of plastic litter in the marine biota

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 928; p. 172504
• Main Author: Hahladakis, John N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 10-06-2024
• Subjects: Animals; Aquatic Organisms; Biological effects; Biota; Ecosystem; Entanglement; Environmental Monitoring; Ingestion; Marine litter; Plastics; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Biological effects; Entanglement; Plastics; Marine litter; Ingestion
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172504

Marine litter and more specifically plastic marine litter is nowadays considered a global issue with unprecedented impact and consequences to the entire marine ecosystem and biota. The current situation that has been created worldwide due to the abundance of plastic litter in the Earth's Seas has been characterized as alarming, necessitating the immediate action for an overall reduction of plastic waste, better collection and recycling schemes and beach-shoreline clean-ups. In this article we attempt to delve into the details of the magnitude of the impact that plastic litter have caused to marine biota via a meta-research analysis, by compiling, combining, analysing and presenting data from various relative works, using primarily scientific and, secondarily, grey literature. Apart from the threats that plastic marine litter pose to the marine ecosystem, they present potential threats to humans, as well, via food chain. Aside from understating the risks and uncertainties contained in the hereby collected and presenting information, this study can provide an evidence base for decision and policy makers into implementing the appropriate action plans for reducing and, in time, mitigating this immense problem.
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•Species affected by plastic marine litter is not only significant, but also increasing.•Ingestion and entanglement are common implications of plastic litter on marine biota.•Plastics may transfer, sorb and adsorb several chemical substances.•There is uncertainty in the contribution of plastics to the transfer of chemicals.•The socioeconomic impact of the cleaning up of plastic littered beach is important.