Microplastics are synthetic polymer particles less than 5 mm in diameter that can originate from both primary (i.e., textiles, plastic production, personal care products, etc.) and secondary sources (derived from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, i.e., plastic vessels, nets, films, tires, etc.). Primary microplastics are commonly found in domestic and industrial wastewater and then can reach rivers and finally coastal areas, but the main sources of pollution in aquatic environments are usually secondary microplastics.

The physical characteristics of these pollutants (i.e., small size and large specific surface area) make them bioavailable to aquatic organisms and may therefore produce toxic effects. In very recent years, different laboratory and field experiences have confirmed that: i) aquatic organisms ingest and uptake these materials; ii) microplastics are accumulated and the chemicals they contain induce adverse effects; iii) they interact with the toxic effects of other environmental pollutants and stressors; and iv) there is trophic transfer of these pollutants and the chemicals associated with them. The existence of trophic transfer means that microplastics, once accumulated into aquatic organisms, can end up in top predators at the food chains (including humans as final consumers of many of them). These findings raise concerns regarding biomagnification of these pollutants, increasing the risks and toxic effects associated to this process. In addition, in aquatic ecosystems, microplastics have been detected also in surface waters and sediments.

For this Special Issue of IJERPH, we are looking for research articles on different aspects of microplastic pollution, including uptake quantification in organisms, water and sediment levels, toxicity assessment, etc. We welcome research papers as well as reviews and meta-analysis.

Dr. José Ángel Fernández
Guest Editor

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