Additionally, microplastics serve as vectors for other pollutants, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These contaminants adhere to the plastic particles due to their high surface area relative to volume. When ingested by marine or terrestrial organisms, these pollutant-laden plastics could lead to heightened exposures, exacerbating the toxic effects not only in wildlife but potentially in humans as well.
Advertisements
The presence of microplastics in freshwater systems and tap water also raises direct exposure risks for humans. Studies have found microplastics in drinking water sources around the world, including both tap and bottled water, posing a potential ingestion route directly from daily water consumption.
Moreover, the impact on terrestrial environments and organisms is an emerging area of concern. Microplastics have been found in agricultural soils, particularly through the application of sewage sludge, a common practice for soil fertilization. The consequences for soil health and productivity are largely unknown, but there is potential for microplastics to affect soil structure and function, water retention, and microorganism health in the soil.
