Volume 5 - Issue 1

Ecological impact of microplastic pollution on marine food webs

Gopal Srinivas Rajesh K

Abstract

Plastics have mostly inhabited the oceans and the environment as an undesired guest and has become an ecological concern for scientists today. This paper looks into the derogatory consequences of micro-sized plastic particles (5mm or less in length) being consumed from baseline sea organisms to top-tier sea predators. This study focuses on several aspects like the direct and total consequences of microplastic pollution on the entire marine biotic community encompassing their health and imbalance in the ecosystem. Microplastics can result in easing progressive damage, Fattened seabed filters, and the amassing of destructive toxic chemicals which elevate 40% worth of the energy and nutrients between species. Gaps within the simultaneous parameters of these underwater ecosystems can be filled with advanced methodologies focusing on biomagnification gap along with adjacency transfer via trophic systems conduits for an integrated environmental nurturing regime. Building adjoined bridges using food webs will help figure out the long-lasting effect of microplastic contamination, thus contributing towards more holistic actions to protect marine ecosystems.

Keywords: Microplastics, Marine ecosystems, Food webs, Pollution, Trophic transfer, Ecological impact, Bioaccumulation

PlumX

Date

May 2025

Page Number

390-407
International Journal of Aquatic Research and Environmental Studies