Do Microplastics Threaten the Balance of Aquatic Ecosystems?

Microplastics, those tiny plastic fragments smaller than five millimeters, are invading aquatic environments worldwide. Originating from the breakdown of larger waste or manufactured directly as microbeads, they end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Their presence deeply disrupts the life of organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

These particles travel long distances, carried by currents, winds, and human activities. They accumulate in sediments, float on the surface, or disperse throughout the water column. Their behavior depends on their size, shape, and chemical composition. Over time, microplastics degrade due to sunlight, waves, or microorganisms. Their surface becomes rough, which promotes the attachment of other pollutants such as metals or antibiotics. Thus transformed, they become even more toxic to living beings.

Aquatic animals, from the smallest to the largest, ingest these particles. In fish, crustaceans, or mollusks, microplastics cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurological disorders. They can also impair reproduction and alter species behavior. Microbes present in the water colonize these particles, forming a layer called the “plastisphere.” This microbial community can accelerate plastic degradation, but it also carries antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pathogens.

Microplastics do more than affect individual organisms: they disrupt food chains and species interactions. By altering the composition of microbial communities, they interfere with the natural cycles of carbon and nutrients. Plants and animals that filter water, such as oysters or algae, play a key role in their dispersion. Some microorganisms can even partially degrade these plastics, but the process remains slow and insufficient compared to the amount of waste released.

Scientists emphasize the urgency of improving detection methods, especially for nanoplastics, which are even harder to detect. Current techniques, such as spectroscopy, can identify polymers but struggle to quantify the smallest particles. Future research will need to better understand the long-term effects of these pollutants, their accumulation in organisms, and their interaction with other toxic substances.

Combating this pollution requires better waste management, a reduction in plastic use, and the development of solutions to limit their release into nature. Without strong action, microplastics will continue to accumulate, threatening the health of ecosystems and, ultimately, that of humans.

Credits and Attributions

Primary Source

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-026-00681-w

Title: Migration, transformation, and ecological effects of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems

Journal: Ecological Processes

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Yun-Xiu Zhao; Ke-Wei Song; Wen-Jing Li; Yue Shen; Ju Yang