Ecological impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems: a systematic review
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Abstract
The article was developed based on the following PEO question: How does exposure to microplastic pollution (in terms of particle presence and concentration) impact marine ecosystems, specifically trophic networks, biochemical processes, and ecosystem resilience to multiple stressors? The process of compiling scientific studies across the three databases identified a total of 590 documents (Scopus: 416, ScienceDirect: 151, and Wiley: 23). Using the PRISMA strategy, 30 documents were included based on the following inclusion criteria: publication range 2020–2025, original articles, open-access availability, studies specifically focused on the topic, and relevant contributions. Studies with restricted access, incomplete texts, low relevance, general thematic approaches, or duplicates were excluded. The results confirm that microplastics bioaccumulate and are transferred throughout marine trophic networks, negatively affecting the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The study concludes that microplastic pollution alters trophic networks due to excessive bioaccumulation and inter-level transfer, and disrupts biochemical processes by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunctions, severely compromising the vital functions of key organisms. Furthermore, it considerably reduces ecosystem resilience to both anthropogenic and natural stressors, thereby increasing the vulnerability of marine ecosystems
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