The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine Organisms
A global problem of today is the large amount of waste in the seas and oceans, primarily plastic waste. It is estimated that every year 1.25 to 2.41 million tons of plastic material is being carried by rivers into the seas and oceans. Waste is a major problem for marine organisms, causing entangleme...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sciendo
2019-03-01
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| Series: | Croatian Journal of Fisheries |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2019-0005 |
| _version_ | 1830187109404639232 |
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| author | Kurtela Antonia Antolović Nenad |
| author_facet | Kurtela Antonia Antolović Nenad |
| author_sort | Kurtela Antonia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A global problem of today is the large amount of waste in the seas and oceans, primarily plastic waste. It is estimated that every year 1.25 to 2.41 million tons of plastic material is being carried by rivers into the seas and oceans. Waste is a major problem for marine organisms, causing entanglement, choking, strangulation, malnutrition and death. In 1972 the problems caused by microplastics, particles smaller than 5 mm, were first observed. Such particles bind pathogenic microorganisms on to their surface. Increasing quantities of microplastics have been found in the stomachs of fish, and also in shellfish that feed by filtering sea water. Ingested by marine organisms, such plastics may eventually pass through the food web and can end up ingested by humans. In addition, plastic releases chemical compounds whose effect on marine organisms and humans has still not been studied. Many international and state organizations offer solutions through recycling plastic waste, as well as reducing the production of plastic materials and informing the public about the problem. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T22:22:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2cf674eb4e144972a5f96ffeae31001b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1848-0586 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T22:22:57Z |
| publishDate | 2019-03-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Croatian Journal of Fisheries |
| spelling | doaj.art-2cf674eb4e144972a5f96ffeae31001b2022-12-21T21:30:25ZengSciendoCroatian Journal of Fisheries1848-05862019-03-01771515610.2478/cjf-2019-0005cjf-2019-0005The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine OrganismsKurtela Antonia0Antolović Nenad1Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, University of Dubrovnik, Damjana Jude 12, 20000Dubrovnik, CroatiaInstitute for Marine and Coastal Research, University of Dubrovnik, Damjana Jude 12, 20000Dubrovnik, CroatiaA global problem of today is the large amount of waste in the seas and oceans, primarily plastic waste. It is estimated that every year 1.25 to 2.41 million tons of plastic material is being carried by rivers into the seas and oceans. Waste is a major problem for marine organisms, causing entanglement, choking, strangulation, malnutrition and death. In 1972 the problems caused by microplastics, particles smaller than 5 mm, were first observed. Such particles bind pathogenic microorganisms on to their surface. Increasing quantities of microplastics have been found in the stomachs of fish, and also in shellfish that feed by filtering sea water. Ingested by marine organisms, such plastics may eventually pass through the food web and can end up ingested by humans. In addition, plastic releases chemical compounds whose effect on marine organisms and humans has still not been studied. Many international and state organizations offer solutions through recycling plastic waste, as well as reducing the production of plastic materials and informing the public about the problem.https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2019-0005seawastefishhuman impact |
| spellingShingle | Kurtela Antonia Antolović Nenad The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine Organisms Croatian Journal of Fisheries sea waste fish human impact |
| title | The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine Organisms |
| title_full | The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine Organisms |
| title_fullStr | The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine Organisms |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine Organisms |
| title_short | The Problem of Plastic Waste and Microplastics in the Seas and Oceans: Impact on Marine Organisms |
| title_sort | problem of plastic waste and microplastics in the seas and oceans impact on marine organisms |
| topic | sea waste fish human impact |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2019-0005 |
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