Middle East Journal of Applied Science & Technology (MEJAST)

(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 4, Pages 45-54, October-December 2019

Microplastic is an Emerging Problem for Marine Life

Muhammad Asif Raheem1, Misbah Aslam1, Muhammad Saeed1, Muhammad Faisal1 and Rana Khalid Iqbal1*
1
*Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan-60880, Pakistan.

Article Received: 13 June 2019 Article Accepted: 15 October 2019 Article Published: 03 December 2019

ABSTRACT

Microplastic is an emerging problem for aquatic as well as terrestrial organisms. Plastic is a synthetic material which is produced from organic
polymers including polyethylene, nylon and PVC. There are mainly two types of the MP 1st is primary microplastic and 2nd is secondary
microplastic. The source of these microplastic are domestic and industrial products include sunscreens, cosmetic, scrubbers (facial scrubs and hand
cleansers) personal care products, insect repellents and materials used in air-blasting, other industrial applications and some plastic are produce
breaking of very large plastic by a different process such as chemical deposition, physical fragmentation, physical fragmentation and biological
degradation in terrestrial or marine environments. Microplastic cause lethal effect on marine organisms includes invertebrates, vertebrates and other
biotas of the marine organisms. Microplastic cause tissue and organ damages, the effect on respiration rates, reduction of feeding, the effect on
digestive cavities, to impaired immune functions and physiological stress which influence the status of health and the behavior, accumulation within
mussels cause cellular damage which response to oxidative stress and toxic reaction in all organisms of water. Microplastic in aquatic organisms not
only kills the marine organisms but also disturb human health. Microplastic directly or indirectly enters into the human food chain and cause
digestive problems, stomach disease and cancer in human. Microplastic also causes financial damage because fishes are the main source of income in
many countries. Without immediate strong preventive measures about microplastic many problems will be world face in the future. In this article, we
discuss the about the source of microplastic, transfer of microplastic, the effect on marine organisms as well as human, ingestion of microplastic and
control measure of microplastic.
Keywords: Plastic debris, Human food chain, Fishes, Polyvinylchloride (PVC).

Abbreviation

PVC Polyvinylchloride

MP Microplastic

GIT Gastrointestinal tracts

WWTPs Wastewater treatment plants

PP Polypropylene

PE Polyethylene

PS Polystyrene

PET Polyethylene terephthalate

INTRODUCTION

Plastic is a synthetic material which is produced from organic polymers including polyethylene, nylon and PVC. It
can be changed into a different shape. It also produces from the chloride, carbon, oxygen, silicon and hydrogen
which obtain from the coal, oil, natural gas and microplastic are small particles with having a diameter from 1mm
to 5mm including microscopic particles, fibers and granules [1]. Cellulose nitrate is 1st synthetic plastic which is
produced by treating cellulose with nitric acid by Alexander Parkes in 1856. Cellulose nitrate can moldable into the
deferent product. By the improvement in cellulose, masses sheets formed. It also uses in the textile industry and
other industries for the making of the different waterproof clothes. After 1865 the age of the plastic is started by the
modification in the simple process into the complex [2]. There are mainly two types of the MP 1st is primary
microplastic and 2nd is secondary microplastic. In the primary microplastic, domestic and industrial products
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 Middle East Journal of Applied Science & Technology (MEJAST)

(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 4, Pages 45-54, October-December 2019

include sunscreens, cosmetic, scrubbers (facial scrubs and hand cleansers) personal care products, insect repellents
and materials used in air-blasting and other industrial applications [3]. In the secondary microplastic all the large
fragment of the plastic which is produced from the breaking of very large plastic by a different process such as
chemical deposition, physical fragmentation, physical fragmentation and biological degradation in terrestrial or
marine environments [4].

In the present era, a trend of plastic is increasing because of wide properties of plastic (transparency, durability,
versatility, lightness) and change into the unique materials which are used into the different industries, healthcare
product and food protection [5]. Due to extensive use of microplastic in the different field cause many problems for
the marine life because all the debris of microplastic reached at the end marine environment and cause destruction
of water life as well as the effect on the terrestrial environment. Marine life includes marine vertebrates,
invertebrates and other microbiota is affected by microplastic [6].

In 1970, 1st-time plastic debris report was an issue which explains the destruction of marine life. At this time,
plastic was widespread in the market. In 2010, 4.812.7 million tons of plastic were disturbed oceans life. There are
many sources of microplastic and way to transfer the plastic into marine life. Human activity is the main source of
microplastic which is a threat for marine organisms. By microplastic bivalves, zooplankton, mussels, fishes,
shrimps, oyster, copepods, lugworms and wheels destroy. Microplastic due to small size becomes more
bioavailable and not degradable due to modification in plastic [2].

Microplastic observed on the sea surface and seabed. In modern days, plastic is modified into the non-degradable
product. Sources of these MP are human activity in the water life and outside. Some of the microplastic produces
from footwear and tires of road vehicles. It also produces from the industrial product such as products for children,
sunscreens, cosmetic, scrubbers (facial scrubs and hand cleansers) and personal care products, insect repellents and
materials used in air-blasting and other industrial applications. Plastic additives are chemical compounds, like
plasticizers also the source of MP[7].

Some synthetic products are including polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and
polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [8]. In other sources include shipping sector residue, clothes
(fleece, polyester, nylon) in the forms of microfibers. China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines
contribute 56% of plastic due to poor waste management and large population [9].

When microplastic reached in the marine life due to the small size of MP, it ingested (directly or indirectly) by
organisms and cause physical damage like obstruction or internal abrasion. MP also circulates into the food web
and affects all marine ecosystems. Indirectly MP also effects on the terrestrial ecosystem through the food web
[10]. Due to a lot of problems with MP, it is necessary to prevent the MP. In this article, we are going to discuss in
detail about the source and effect of MP and also discuss prevent measure.

Sources of microplastic

Mainly human activities are the main source of plastic. There are mainly two types of the MP 1st is primary
microplastic and 2nd is secondary microplastic. In the primary microplastic, domestic and industrial products

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 Middle East Journal of Applied Science & Technology (MEJAST)

(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 4, Pages 45-54, October-December 2019

include sunscreens, cosmetic (Polyethylene polypropylene and polystyrene spheres) and personal care products,
scrubbers (facial scrubs and hand cleansers), products for children, insect repellents and materials used in
air-blasting and other industrial applications [3], [5]. In the secondary microplastic all the large fragment of the
plastic which is produced from the breaking of very large plastic by a different process such as chemical deposition,
physical fragmentation, physical fragmentation and biological degradation in terrestrial or marine environments.
These entire products are the main source of microplastic [4].

In additional, household waste (laundry waste & domestic waste) riverine transport, storm discharges, wind-blown
debris, untreated sewage, tears and wear of tyres [11], footwear, recreational use of coastal areas, tourist activities,
bottles, shopping bags and personal hygiene products, shipping and fisheries, recreational vessels, cruise liners,
merchant shipping, oil and gas, weathering. During transportation, many accidents cause plastic pollution in the sea
as well as land. Microplastic also pollutes the seawater by the maintenance of marine coatings [9].

Fig:1 (Source of microplastic in the marine environment are mainly includes household waste, maintenance of
marine coatings, cosmetic, scrubbers, industrial waste, untreated sewage, bottles, shopping bags, riverine transport,
agricultural waste, shipping and fisheries which affect the marine life) [12].

Transfer of microplastic in the marine environment

Microplastic is due to their very small size transfer easily from one place to another. Mostly MP can be passed
through filtration and water treatment plant and reached in the marine environment. Terrestrial and marine base
activity causes the transfer of MP in the marine environment. By increasing the population, the number of things
uses in the house also increased. Household waste is transferred a big part of debris in the water environment
through wind and heavy rain. Activities on the beach cause the transfer of MP.

Tourists left many kinds of plastic contamination causing things like food packages, balloons, cans, plastic toys and
cartoons. These residues reached in seawater by tides. During transportation, many accidents cause plastic
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(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 4, Pages 45-54, October-December 2019

pollution in the sea as well as land. Microplastic also pollutes the seawater by the maintenance of marine coatings.
Mostly big companies poorly managed and illegally landfills near the beach which contributes debris in the water
[13].

Fisheries also cause the MP in the water because the nets which use in fisheries mostly remain in the water. Fishing
gear is often discarded when damaged. Most containers are lost in water which causes the death of the water life [5].

Microplastic which is used in cosmetic and the air air-blasting media pass through the waterways in industry water
drainage system is used to treat the wastes but microplastic can pass through the filtration system and at the end
reached the water environment. Untreated sewage and stormwater of industries are the main sources of MP which
reached through the rain. [9] In the water, MP reached from one place to another through Zooplankton because
plastic stored in the gut of Zooplankton and excrete and reached other organisms. Microplastic also reached the
bottom of the water and become part of the sediment. Microplastic attaches with sediments and disturbs the water
life for a long time [14].

Ingestion of microplastic by organisms

Due to the small size of the microplastic ingestion of MP is easy for marine organisms and cause serious problems
in species. All organisms include vertebrate and invertebrates mostly ingest these microplastic mistaken for food
like Zooplankton. Plastic items such as six-pack rings and plastic bags float on the surface of the water. Big
organisms mostly fishes take it as food like beached whales (plastic found in the stomach) [6]. Microplastic
detected in the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of annelid species and also found in digestive as well as respiratory
tracts of Lugworms and crustaceans. Mostly microplastic reached the bottom of the water and attached with the
sediment. All the bottom feeders ingest this microplastic through sediments. There are many species of sea turtles
also ingest floating plastic debris such as bags often mistaken and cause obstruction of the esophagus which can
lead to their death [6]. Seabirds are also ingesting microplastic in different ways. Plastic found in the stomach of
these birds. These seabirds ingest floating debris as prey. They also ingest microplastic indirectly from prey which
already taken the debris in the body. This plastic causes obstruction, hunger, physical damage, or a false sense of
satiation, cause malnutrition and cause the death of these birds [15]. Humans and animals also ingest this plastic
indirectly through eat fish and drink water which contains plastic and causes many diseases like lung cancer and
stomach problem [9].

Micro-plastic effects in marine organisms

In seawater, there are many kinds of micro-particles particles present which affect the invertebrates, vertebrates and
another marine biota of water. Micro-plastics contain additive chemicals and organic material that can interact with
biotic and abiotic components of all marine environments, these plastics by ingestion cause dangerous effects under
different environmental condition.

A. Microplastic effects in invertebrates

Microplastic has no apparent effect on marine organisms. Once these nano-particles ingested, they cannot be
digested because organisms of marine have no pathway to digest these particles. Ingestion of these particle

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(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 4, Pages 45-54, October-December 2019

damages tissues and organs of organisms. Most of the invertebrates have no selective feeding strategy like bivalves
which ingest much microplastic with their food. Sponges, worm (marine worms, Flatworms, Earthworms and
Round or threadworm) sea jellies, jellyfishes and leeches are also invertebrates which killed by these plastics [16].

It is the ability of microplastic to accumulate many metals and POPs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and poly-brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Therefore, these particles
become more danger for organisms [17]. Effects in invertebrates are the effect on respiration rates, reduction of
feeding, the effect on digestive cavities, to impaired immune functions and physiological stress which influence the
status of health and the behavior, accumulation within mussels cause cellular damage which response to oxidative
stress [7].

B. Microplastic effects in Fishes

Most of the fishes ingest microplastic by mistake as food. Small fishes as well as large fishes take a lot of water and
obtain food. Microplastic becomes a part of the food and damages the tissue of fishes. Mostly carbon and metal
base nano-particles are very dangerous due to their small size such as polystyrene nanoparticles. Plastic also
contains numerous additives like Reinforcing fibers, fillers, coupling agent, plasticizers, colorants; stabilizer
(halogen stabilizer, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, and biological preservatives) lubricants and retardants leach
out once ingested [18].

Cetaceans ingested microplastic which causes chronic and acute injuries. Plastic debris accumulates in the body
and damages the tissues of cetaceans and becomes part of the food chain. In the baleen whales, due to the presence
of the high amount of plastic debris in the gastrointestinal tract cause obstruction of the intestinal tract and disturb
the digestive processes. Baleen whales are the largest filter feeding in the world. It engulfs 70.000 L in one time and
ingests microplastic direct from the water [19].

Plastic debris is detected in epidermis, dermis and blubber which potential toxic effects in Fin whales. It causes
physical damage, changes in the lipid metabolism change in the behavior and cytotoxicity in these fishes.
Bioaccumulation and bio-magnification of microplastic in the body of zooplankton cause tissues damages.
Nano-plastic reached in the body of zooplankton through algae by the food chain [20].

Microplastic effects from individuals to ecosystems

In our discussion, mostly we discuss the effects of the microplastic in a single individual or only different levels of
cellular organization. But microplastic can cause not only toxic effect but also disturb the ecosystem. It decreases
natural food ingestion leading to reduced nutritional status.

Naturally, nutrient cycling is in the water. Most organisms are consuming and repackaging of organic matter into
fecal pellets. The vertical movement of these pellets is very important. By the movement of pellets, cause transport
of carbon, nutrients and organic particulates to the seafloor and provide food to the sedimentary organisms. But by
the accumulation of microplastic into sediments organisms which have non- selective deposit-feeding behavior
transfer and ingest microplastics in their gut. They become parts of fecal pellets and transferred to other marine

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organisms like coprophagous animals. They cause the death of the marine organisms. Bottom organisms altered
feeding behavior which influences the whole ecosystem [21].

Microplastic in the Food Chain from the marine environment

Microplastic is an emerging problem for aquatic as well as terrestrial organisms. These circulated from the marine
environment as well as in terrestrial environment through the food chain [17]. Edible and non-edible species of
water contain microplastic. Microplastic enters into the gastrointestinal tract of fish, crustaceans, turtles, bivalves
and other marine organisms. From these organisms, plastics circulate in the food chain by prey and predator
relation [20].

Microplastic enters into the human food chain through marine organisms such as fishes and other edible organisms
of the marine environment. It also enters through the drinking water which is contaminated with microplastic [22].
Edible sea birds chicken gizzards are the main source of microplastic in many countries. Bivalves or small fishes
also use in the human diet and can be a source of microplastic. Microplastic also circulates in the human food chain
by many other routes such as contamination of seawater, contamination of soil, wastewater and sludge and
contamination of surface and groundwater [23], [24].

Control measure

Microplastic in aquatic organisms not only kills the marine organisms but also disturb human health. Microplastic
directly or indirectly enters into the human food chain and cause digestive problems, stomach disease and cancer in
human [16]. In many countries, fishes are used as a staple food. It does not destroy only organisms but ecosystem
also. Large creature of water organisms such as seals, sea turtles, whales, sharks and polar bear contaminated with
plastic debris in all over the world [25].

Microplastic not only destroys marine biodiversity and human health but also cause financial damage. Fishes and
other marine biota are the way of income in many countries such as Chinese shellfish in China [26].

Without immediate strong preventive measures about microplastic many problems will be world face in the future.
Already ―16th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans‖ held to explain the threat of
plastic pollution in the marine environment [3]. Many NGOs also work explain the plastic use and their effects on
organisms. There are following methods are used to control the plastic debris.

A. Beach and reef cleanup

Tourists left many kinds of plastic contamination causing things like food packages, balloons, cans, plastic toys and
cartoons. These residues reached in seawater by tides. Management should clean the beach and reef. All the plastic
things collect and destroy completely and strictly stop these people to left plastic debris.[27]

B. Recycle

Recycling is an easy and good method to control plastic pollution. All the big companies should recycle their
plastic. All recyclable plastic such as bottles, shopping bags, food packages, cans and plastic cartons, plastic toys
should be recycled [28].

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C. Biodegradable

In the modern era, genetically modified organisms are products which can easily degrade the plastic. These
microbes breakdown and metabolize the plastic and become less harmful to the environment [29].

D. Removal of microplastic by the wastewater treatment plant

Wastewater treatment plants are used to collect the wastewater which contains plastic debris. There are mostly
three types of treatment plants WWTP1, WWTP2, WWTP3 work by which 75-99% plastic removed. These WWTPs
depend on the size of plastic as well as operation and discharging of components. These WWTPs are present in
textile, leather and other industrial areas [30], [31].

E. Carrying out a dedicated research

In the scientific era, the researcher should dedicate such a method which is very useful to convert high toxic plastic
debris to low toxic. The education authority should provide all the facilities to the researcher for these purposes [3].

F. Adopting certain strong legislative rules and policies

The government should formulate such rules and policies which regularly monitor the excessive use of plastic. The
government should increase the funds for cleaning our beach ocean [28].

G. Establishing a waste collection system

The collection system of waste plastic such as food packages, balloons, cans, plastic toys and cartoons and other
plastic product should be established. Beach of the sea should be clean and all the waste of plastic collects [3].

H. Completing the ban on microbeads

The government should be established such management which strictly bans plastic in cosmetic and other personal
care products. Mostly country such as the United States approved a bill in which many products produce from the
plastic microbeads on July 1, 2017 (The Microbeads Free Water Act)[32].

I. Actions taken to raise awareness about plastic pollutions

Awareness center should be established to explain the lethal effect of the plastic. It can be explained through
advertisements. Guide the people how extensive use of plastic lethal for the marine environment as well as human
health [26].

CONCLUSION

Microplastic is an emerging problem for aquatic as well as terrestrial organisms. Microplastic has lethal effects on
marine organisms such as invertebrates (bivalves, Sponges, marine worms, Flatworms, Earthworms and Round or
threadworm, sea jellies, jellyfishes and leeches), vertebrates (fishes) and other microbiota. Microplastic cause
damages tissues and organs, the effect on respiration rates, reduction of feeding, the effect on digestive cavities, to
impaired immune functions and physiological stress which influence the status of health and the behavior,
accumulation within mussels cause cellular damage which response to oxidative stress in invertebrates.
Microplastic also causes chronic and acute injuries, obstruction of the intestinal tract and disturbs the digestive
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(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 4, Pages 45-54, October-December 2019

processes in vertebrates. This microplastic can cause not only toxic effect but also disturb the ecosystem. It
decreases natural food ingestion leading to reduced nutritional status. Microplastic also enters into the
gastrointestinal tract of fish, crustaceans, turtles, bivalves and other marine organisms. From these organisms,
plastics circulate in the food chain by prey and predator relation. Microplastic enters into the human food chain
through marine organisms such as fishes and other edible organisms of the marine environment. It also causes
financial damage. Many countries sell marine organisms such as fish which is main income way of those people.
Therefore, without immediate strong preventive measures about microplastic many problems will be world face in
the future. It is necessary to clean up Beach and reef, Recyclable product should be recycled, convert plastic to less
harmful, use alternative of plastic which are less toxic, Removal of microplastic by the wastewater treatment plants,
researcher should dedicate such method which is very useful to convert high waste collection system, Completing
the ban on microbeads, Actions taken to raise awareness about plastic pollutions by NGOs or advertisements. All
this could be possible by the co-operation between the public, industry and scientists.

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