Microplastic Pollution in Different Ecosystems: Occurrence, Toxicity and Risks

Abstract

Microplastics, plastic fragments under 5 mm in length, are now in the public domain as a growing issue of global concern because of their potential impacts on the environment. Their fragmentation characteristics and tendency to sorb or release persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are determined by the polymer type. The high surface-to-volume ratio of microplastics favors their interaction with organic pollutants present in the surrounding area, particularly in the aqueous area. The inconsistent findings regarding the toxic effects of microplastics point to the need for further studies to interpret risks originating from microplastics. For this reason, standard sampling methodologies and easy, reliable analytical techniques are needed to determine the fate of microplastics in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, in the context of public health, it is crucial to identify the routes of human exposure, the potential toxicological consequences, and concerns. Therefore, this review assesses the microplastic contamination in the air, water and soil environment. Also, studies conducted in Turkey on microplastic pollution are given.

Keywords

• Microplastic
• Toxicology
• Persistent organic pollutant
• Pollution
• Trophic transfer

Farklı Ekosistemlerde Mikroplastik Kirlilik: Oluşum, Toksisite ve Riskler

Öz

Mikroplastikler olarak adlandırılan plastik fragmentleri oluşturdukları çevresel riskler nedeniyle son yıllarda oldukça dikkat çeken bir konudur. Mikroplastikler boyutlarına kıyasla oldukça geniş bir yüzey alanına sahip oldukları için bulundukları çevredeki organik kirleticilerin ve patojen mikroorganizmaların tutunabileceği yapılardır. Söz konusu plastik fragmentlerin bozulma, yayılma ve toksik karakteristikleri hakkına bilinenler sınırlıdır. Bu sebeple mikroplastik kaynaklı risklerin saptanması oldukça güçtür. Plastik fragmentlerin sucul ve karasal sistemlerdeki dinamiklerinin ve canlılar üzerindeki etkilerinin saptanabilmesi, detaylı örnekleme yöntemlerinin ve hızlı, ucuz, güvenilir analitik tekniklerin kullanıldığı rutin analizlerin geliştirilmesine bağlıdır. Mikroplastiklerin toplum sağlığı ve sucul, karasal ekosistemler üzerindeki muhtemel olumsuz etkilerine karşı yürütülecek mücadele, söz konusu çevresel kirleticilerin temel kontaminasyon yollarının tespit edilmesi ve anlaşılması sonrasında anlam kazanacaktır. Bu derlemede havadaki, sudaki ve karasal alanlardaki mikroplastik kontaminasyonu değerlendirilerek Türkiye’de mikroplastik kirliliği hakkında yapılan çalışmalar incelenmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mikroplastik
• Toksikoloji
• Kalıcı organik kirletici
• kirlilik
• trofik transfer

Kaynakça

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