The Impact of Microplastics on Fish Poses a Threat to Human Health

Biplab Bhowmik
Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Sarisha -743368, West Bengal, India

Lisa Basu
Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Sarisha -743368, West Bengal, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/lbsopf.2024.e01.010

Keywords: Microplastics, fish, contamination, human, aquatic ecosystems, water pollution, plastics, freshwater ecosystems, toxic

Abstract:
With the growth of human population, the production and usage of plastics are also increasing. Overuse of plastics has adverse effects on the environment. Underwater plastics fragment into microplastics (MPs). This MP is a major cause of concern as a pollutant in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastic contamination is not a newly discovered problem, but it is still a crucial issue to discuss. MP exposure poses a great threat to fish health. MPs contamination can cause organ damage, toxic responses, behavioral changes, and so on. Additionally, MP ingestion by fish directly or indirectly affects human lives. Microplastics enter the human body in large amounts through fish consumption. The accumulation of microplastics within the human body has a wide range of toxicological and negative consequences. The control strategies for microplastic contamination are still in their infancy. More detailed study is needed about the nature and toxic effects of the MPs in order to mitigate their effects.

References:

  • Alberghini, L., Truant, A., Santonicola, S., Colavita, G., & Giaccone, V. (2022). Microplastics in fish and fishery products and risks for human health: A review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 789.
  • Alimba, C. G., & Faggio, C. (2019). Microplastics in the marine environment: Current trends in environmental pollution and mechanisms of toxicological profile. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology, 68, 61-74.
  • Aragaw, T. A., and Mekonnen, B. A. (2021). Distribution and Impact of Microplastics in the Aquatic Systems: A Review of Ecotoxicological Effects on Biota. Microplastic Pollution. Sustainable Textiles: Production, Processing, Manufacturing & Chemistry. Springer Singapore, 65–104.
  • Bandyopadhyay, A., Sinha, A., Thakur, P., Thakur, S., & Ahmed, M. (2023). A review of soil pollution from LDPE mulching films and the consequences of the substitute biodegradable plastic on soil health. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.32, 15-39. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v32.002
  • Bhattacharya, P. (2015). Transfer of heavy metals from lake water to biota: a potential threat to migratory birds of Mathura lake, West Bengal, India. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.1, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2015.v01.001
  • Bhuyan, M. S. (2022). Effects of microplastics on fish and in human health. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 250.
  • Biswas, G., Pramanik, S., Bhattacharjee, K., & Saha, S. (2023). Understanding the response of phytoplankton to the cyclonic event Sitrang A case study in the Hooghly estuary of Sundarban Bay of Bengal region. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.32, 309-322. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v32.02
  • Borrelle, S. B., Rochman, C. M., Liboiron, M., Bond, A. L., Lusher, A., Bradshaw, H., et al. (2017). Opinion: Why We Need an International Agreement on marine Plastic Pollution. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 114(38), 9994–9997.
  • Campanale, C., Massarelli, C., Savino, I., Locaputo, V., and Uricchio, V. F. (2020). A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health. Ijerph 17(4), 1212.
  • Caruso, G. (2019). Microplastics as vectors of contaminants. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 146, 921-924.
  • Chiu, H.-W., Xia, T., Lee, Y.-H., Chen, C.-W., Tsai, J.-C., and Wang, Y.-J.2015). Cationic Polystyrene Nanospheres Induce Autophagic Cell Death Through the Induction of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress. Nanoscale 7(2),736–746.
  • Das, S., Tamili, D. P.,  & Madhu, N.R. (2023). Impacts of Microplastics on Zooplankton. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), Shubhadeep Roychoudhury, Tanmay Sanyal, Koushik Sen & Sudipa Mukherjee Sanyal (eds.), A Basic Overview of Environment and Sustainable Development [Volume: 2], pp. 288-303. ISBN: 978-81-962683-8-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/boesd.2023.e02.019
  • De Sá, L. C., Luís, L. G., and Guilhermino, L. (2015). Effects of MPs on Juveniles of The Common Goby (Pomatoschistus Microps): Confusion with Prey, Reduction of the Predatory Performance and Efficiency, and Possible Influence of Developmental Conditions. Environ. Pollut. 196, 359–362.
  • Deng, Y., Zhang, Y., Lemos, B., and Ren, H. (2017). Tissue Accumulation of Microplastics in Mice and Biomarker Responses Suggest Widespread Health Risks of Exposure. Sci. Rep. 7(1), 46687–46710.
  • Duis, K., & Coors, A. (2016). Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment: sources (with a specific focus on personal care products), fate and effects. Environmental Sciences Europe, 28(1), 1-25.
  • Dutta, A., Madhu, N.R.,&   Behera, B. K. (2014). Population builds up and diversity of Odonate species in relation to food preference in a fish farming Lake at Media, West Bengal, India. Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci., 1(7), 199–203.
  • Feng, S., Zeng, Y., Cai, Z., Wu, J., Chan, L. L., Zhu, J., et al. (2021). Polystyrene Microplastics Alter the Intestinal Microbiota Function and the Hepatic Metabolism Status in marine Medaka (Oryzias melastigma). Sci. Total Environ. 759, 143558.
  • Fierro, P., Valdovinos, C., Vargas-Chacoff, L., Bertrán, C., & Arismendi, I. (2017). Macroinvertebrates and fishes as bioindicators of stream water pollution. Water quality, 2, 23-38.
  • Fonte, E., Ferreira, P., and Guilhermino, L. (2016). Temperature Rise and Microplastics Interact with the Toxicity of the Antibiotic Cefalexin to Juveniles of the Common Goby (Pomatoschistus Microps): Post-exposure Predatory Behaviour, Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Lipid Peroxidation. Aquat. Toxicol. 180, 173–185.
  • Frias, J.P.G.L.; Nash, R. Microplastics: Finding a consensus on the definition. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2019, 138, 145–147.
  • Garrido Gamarro, E., Ryder, J., Elvevoll, E. O., and Olsen, R. L. (2020). Microplastics in Fish and Shellfish – A Threat to Seafood Safety? J. Aquat.Food Product. Technology, 29(4), 417–425.
  • Geiser, M., Rothen-Rutishauser, B., Kapp, N., Schürch, S., Kreyling, W., Schulz, H., Et al. (2005). Ultrafine Particles Cross Cellular Membranes by Nonphagocytic Mechanisms in Lungs and in Cultured Cells. Environ. Health Perspect, 113(11),1555–1560.
  • Greven, A.-C., Merk, T., Karagöz, F., Mohr, K., Klapper, M., Jovanović, B., et al. (2016). Polycarbonate and Polystyrene Nanoplastic Particles Act as Stressors to The Innate Immune System of Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas). Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 35(12), 3093–3100.
  • Güven, O., Gökdağ, K., Jovanović, B., and Kıdeyş, A. E. (2017). Microplastic Litter Composition of the Turkish Territorial Waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and Its Occurrence in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Fish. Environ. Pollut. 223, 286–294.
  • Häder, D. P., & Gao, K. (2023). Aquatic Productivity under Multiple Stressors. Water, 15(4), 817.
  • Hale, R. C., Seeley, M. E., La Guardia, M. J., Mai, L., & Zeng, E. Y. (2020). A global perspective on microplastics. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 125(1), e2018JC014719.
  • Huang, J.-N., Wen, B., Xu, L., Ma, H.-C., Li, X.-X., Gao, J.-Z., et al. (2022). Micro/Nano-plastics Cause Neurobehavioral Toxicity in Discus Fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus): Insight from Brain-Gut-Microbiota axis. J. Hazard. Mater., 421, 126830.
  • Huang, W., Song, B., Liang, J., Niu, Q., Zeng, G., Shen, M., et al. (2021). Microplastics and Associated Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment: A Review on Their Ecotoxicological Effects, Trophic Transfer, and Potential Impacts to Human Health. J. Hazard. Mater., 405, 124187.
  • Hwang, J., Choi, D., Han, S., Choi, J., and Hong, J. (2019). An Assessment of the Toxicity of Polypropylene MPs in Human Derived Cells. Sci. Total Environ.684, 657–669.
  • IUCN (2017) Primary Microplastics in the Oceans: A Global Evaluation of Sources. Gland, Switzerland.
  • Jabeen, K., Li, B., Chen, Q., Su, L., Wu, C., Hollert, H., et al. (2018). Effects of virgin MPs on Goldfish (Carassius auratus). Chemosphere, 213, 323–332.
  • Kirstein, I. V., Kirmizi, S., Wichels, A., Garin-Fernandez, A., Erler, R., Löder, M., Et al. (2016). Dangerous Hitchhikers? Evidence for Potentially Pathogenic Vibrio Spp. On Microplastic Particles. Mar. Environ. Res., 120, 1–8.
  • Kumar, M., Xiong, X., He, M., Tsang, D. C., Gupta, J., Khan, E., … & Bolan, N. S. (2020). Microplastics as pollutants in agricultural soils. Environmental Pollution, 265, 114980.
  • Kumar, S., Rajesh, M., Rajesh, K. M., Suyani, N. K., Rasheeq Ahamed, A., & Pratiksha, K. S. (2020). Impact of microplastics on aquatic organisms and human health: A review. International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, 26(2), 59-64.
  • Kutralam-Muniasamy, G., Pérez-Guevara, F., Elizalde-Martínez, I., and Shruti, V.C. (2020). Review of Current Trends, Advances and Analytical Challenges for Microplastics Contamination in Latin America. Environ. Pollut. 267,115463.
  • Lassen, C. et al. (2015) Microplastics: Occurrence, effects and sources of releases to the environment in Denmark.
  • Le Bihanic, F., Clérandeau, C., Cormier, B., Crebassa, J. C., Keiter, S. H., Beiras, R., Et al. (2020). Organic Contaminants Sorbed to MPs Affect marine Medaka Fish Early Life Stages Development. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 154, 111059.
  • Lebreton, L. C., Van Der Zwet, J., Damsteeg, J. W., Slat, B., Andrady, A., & Reisser, J. (2017). River plastic emissions to the world’s oceans. Nature Comm, 8(1), 1–10.
  • Li, Y., Yang, G., Wang, J., Lu, L., Li, X., Zheng, Y., et al. (2021). MPs Increase the Accumulation of Phenanthrene in the Ovaries of marine Medaka (Oryzias Melastigma) and its Transgenerational Toxicity. J. Hazard. Mater., 127754.
  • Ludovic H, Alexandre D, Ika PP, Camille L, Ronan J, Philippe S (2017) Guillaume, D. Occurrence and effects Of plastic additives on marine environments and organisms: A review. Chemosphere, 182, 781‒793.
  • Lusher, A. L., Mchugh, M., and Thompson, R. C. (2013). Occurrence of MPs in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Pelagic and Demersal Fish from the English Channel. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 67(1-2), 94–99.
  • Madhu, N.R., Sarkar, B., Slama, P., Jha, N.K., Ghorai, S.K., Jana, S.K., Govindasamy, K., Massanyi, P., Lukac, N., Kumar, D., Kalita, J.C., Kesari, K.K., & Roychoudhury, S. (2022). Effect of Environmental Stressors, Xenobiotics, and Oxidative Stress on Male Reproductive and Sexual Health.  © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022, S. Roychoudhury, K. K. Kesari (eds.), Oxidative Stress and Toxicity in Reproductive Biology and Medicine. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1391, 33-58. ISBN: 978-3-031-12966-7, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12966-7_3.
  • Magnusson, K. et al. (2016) Swedish sources and pathways for microplastics to the marine environment: A review of existing data.
  • Mallik, A., Xavier, K. M., Naidu, B. C., and Nayak, B. B. (2021). Ecotoxicological And Physiological Risks of Microplastics on Fish and Their Possible Mitigation Measures. Sci. Total Environ., 779, 146433.
  • Meyers, D. G. (2019). Trophic interactions within aquatic ecosystems. Routledge.
  • Mizraji, R., Ahrendt, C., Perez-Venegas, D., Vargas, J., Pulgar, J., Aldana, M., et al. (2017). Is the Feeding Type Related with the Content of MPs in Intertidal Fish Gut? Mar. Pollut. Bull., 116 (1-2), 498–500.
  • Mondal, P., Adhikary, P., Sadhu, S., Choudhary, D., Thakur, D., Shadab, M., Mukherjee, D., Parvez, S., Pradhan, S., Kuntia, M., Manna, U., & Das, A. (2022). Assessment of the impact of the different point sources of pollutants on the river water quality and the evaluation of bioaccumulation of heavy metals into the fish ecosystem thereof. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.27, 32-38. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2022.v27.003
  • Mu, X., Qi, S., Liu, J., Yuan, L., Huang, Y., Xue, J., et al. (2021). Toxicity and Behavioral Response of Zebrafish Exposed to Combined Microplastic and Bisphenol Analogues. Environ. Chem. Lett., pp.1–8.
  • Patra, A., & Madhu, N.R. (2009). Impact of Physiochemical characteristics on Zooplankton community of a freshwater wetland of Udaynarayanpur, Howrah, W.B., India. Environment and Ecology, 27(2A), 803-808.
  • Peda, C., Caccamo, L., Fossi, M. C., Gai, F., Andaloro, F., Genovese, L., et al. (2016). Intestinal Alterations in European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus,1758) Exposed to MPs: Preliminary Results. Environ. Pollut., 212, 251–256.
  • Prata, J. C. (2018). Airborne MPs: Consequences to Human Health? Environ.Pollut. 234, 115–126.
  • Prata, J. C., da Costa, J. P., Lopes, I., Duarte, A. C., and Rocha-Santos, T. (2020). Environmental Exposure to MPs: An Overview on Possible Human Health Effects. Sci. Total Environ. 702, 134455.
  • Rashed, M. N. (2001). Cadmium and lead levels in fish (Tilapia nilotica) tissues as biological indicator for lake water pollution. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 68, 75-89.
  • Roy, S., Das, N., Saha, S., & Ghosh, D. (2022). Idol immersion in Ichhamati river and its impact on water quality parameters. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.29, 40-47. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2022.v29.004
  • Schirinzi, G. F., Pérez-Pomeda, I., Sanchís, J., Rossini, C., Farré, M., and Barceló, D. (2017). Cytotoxic Effects of Commonly Used Nanomaterials and MPs on Cerebral and Epithelial Human Cells. Environ. Res. 159, 579–587.
  • Scudo, A. (2017) Intentionally added microplastics in products.
  • Smith, M., Love, D. C., Rochman, C. M., and Neff, R. A. (2018). MPs in Seafood and The Implications for Human Health. Curr. Environ. Health Rep., 5(3), 375–386.
  • Sundt, P., Schulze, P.-E. and Syversen, F. (2014) Sources of microplastic- pollution to the marine environment. Report no: M-321|2015, Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet).
  • Tamburri, M. N., Soon, Z. Y., Scianni, C., Øpstad, C. L., Oxtoby, N. S., Doran, S., & Drake, L. A. (2022). Understanding the potential release of microplastics from coatings used on commercial ships. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, 1074654.
  • Wang, J., Li, X., Gao, M., Li, X., Zhao, L., and Ru, S. (2022). Polystyrene MPs Increase Estrogenic Effects of 17α-Ethynylestradiol on Male marine Medaka (Oryzias melastigma). Chemosphere, 287, 132312.
  • Wang, L., Wu, W. M., Bolan, N. S., Tsang, D. C., Li, Y., Qin, M., & Hou, D. (2021). Environmental fate, toxicity and risk management strategies of nanoplastics in the environment: Current status and future perspectives. Journal of hazardous materials, 401, 123415.
  • Wright, S. L., and Kelly, F. J. (2017). Plastic and Human Health: a Micro Issue? Environ. Sci. Technol., 51(12), 6634–6647.
  • Wright, S. L., Thompson, R. C., and Galloway, T. S. (2013). The Physical Impacts of MPs on marine Organisms: a Review. Environ. Pollut., 178, 483–492.
  • Xia, B., Sui, Q., Du, Y., Wang, L., Jing, J., Zhu, L., et al. (2022). Secondary PVC MPs are More Toxic Than Primary PVC MPs to Oryzias melastigma Embryos. J. Hazard. Mater., 424, 127421.
  • Yacobi, N. R., DeMaio, L., Xie, J., Hamm-Alvarez, S. F., Borok, Z., & Kim, K. J. (2008). Polystyrene Nanoparticle Trafficking across Alveolar Epithelium. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biol. Med. 4(2), 139–145.
  • Yan, Z., Liu, Y., Zhang, T., Zhang, F., Ren, H., and Zhang, Y. (2021). Analysis of Microplastics in Human Feces Reveals a Correlation between Fecal Microplastics and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Status. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Yu, X., Ladewig, S., Bao, S., Toline, C. A., Whitmire, S., and Chow, A. T. (2018). Occurrence and Distribution of MPs at Selected Coastal Sites along the Southeastern United States. Sci. Total Environ. 613, 298–305.
  • Zhang, X., Xia, M., Zhao, J., Cao, Z., Zou, W., and Zhou, Q. (2022). Photoaging Enhanced the Adverse Effects of Polyamide MPs on the Growth, Intestinal Health, and Lipid Absorption in Developing Zebrafish. Environ. Int. 158,106922. Zhao, Y., Qin, Z., Huang, Z., Bao, Z., Luo, T., and Jin, Y. (2021). Effects of Polyethylene MPs on the Microbiome and Metabolism in Larval Zebrafish. Environ. Pollut., 282, 117039.
Cover image of the book "Life as Basic Science: an overview and prospects for the future, Vol. 1" featuring DNA strands, human anatomy, marine life, plants, and nutritional supplements.
Life as Basic Science: an overview and prospects for the future, Vol. 1

How to Cite
Biplab Bhowmik and Lisa Basu (2024). The Impact of Microplastics on Fish Poses a Threat to Human Health. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), Dr. Somnath Das, Dr. Ashis Kumar Panigrahi, Dr. Rose Stiffin and Dr. Jayata Kumar Das (eds.), Life as Basic Science: An Overview and Prospects for the Future Volume: 1, pp. 120-130. ISBN: 978-81-969828-9-8 doi: https://doi.org/10.52756/lbsopf.2024.e01.010

SHARE WITH EVERYONE

Continue reading in any device

Continue reading in any device