Microplastic Introduction
Water is one of the renewable resources crucial for the existence of all beings on earth and is also an essential part of the global ecological system.
Problems on the quality of water have become major concerns in all countries. Water pollution from microplastics (MPs) has become one of the global issues discussed in many international forums.
The term ‘MPs’ which was introduced in the mid-2000s refers to plastic particles that are smaller than 5.0 mm in size (United Nations Environment Programme, 2021).
It was predominantly of the MPs present in every marine ecosystem such as in mangroves, water, sediments, and biota.
Impact and Sampling
Marine organisms are mostly affected by taking up MPs which accumulate in their tissues as toxic pollutants or if at all, because these are very tiny, could enter the circulation and gain access to the liver via the portal vein (Avio et al., 2017; Yong et al., 2020). The long-term accumulation of microplastics in liver tissues and chronic inflammation could lead to liver diseases and metabolic problems (Yong et al., 2020).
MPs in the aquatic environment have been attracting global attention. Several studies have been carried out by many institutions around the world using various methods, particularly net sampling gear, Neuston net, and Manta net.
