Microplastics in Sea Water: Contamination and Environmental Risk

ABSTRACT: Plastic microplastics are widespread, found in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and can even be found in Antarctica and deep-sea sediments. Micropalstic has become a major pollutant of marine and ocean waters in recent decades and poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. An estimated 5.25 trillion plastic particles float in the world's seas and oceans, releasing up to 23 600 tonnes of dissolved organic carbon per year. Microplastic pollution is a serious phenomenon affecting marine ecosystems, aquatic life and human health. Toxins and chemicals from the environment settle on its surface and can carry them up the food chain. Given the different dimensions, shapes and densities of MPs, it is difficult to predict their behaviour in a dynamic marine environment. The potential toxic properties of microplastics are mainly due to the additives and monomers they contain. The widespread occurrence of microplastics in the marine environment and the need to reduce the associated risks have been the subject of intensive research in recent years. Recently, the study of the source, amount and distribution of microplastic contamination has become the focus of much research. This paper aims to discuss the sources of microplastic pollution in the marine environment and discuss their potential risks in the environment.

KEYWORDS: Marine Pollution, Sustainable Development, Environmental Risk Assessment, Marine Environmental Protection, Pollution and Environment Protection, Microplastics, Marine Ecosystems, Water Quality

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Citation note:

Popek M.: Microplastics in Sea Water: Contamination and Environmental Risk. TransNav, the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, Vol. 20, No. 2, doi:10.12716/1001.20.02.19, pp. 461-468, 2026

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