Microplastics contamination in seaweed: impacts on human health and mitigation approaches

Abstract

Marine algae, which are often overlooked but extremely versatile, are proving to be a promising solution in the midst of environmental challenges. They are used as raw materials in various sectors and also serve as food for humans. The rapid increase in plastics poses an urgent ecological problem that requires immediate attention in the marine ecosystem. This study provides an overview of microplastics (MPs) pollution and its harmful effects on human health. The study also addresses the research gaps and future directions. The data was collected from various databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Dimension, Pubmed and Pubmed Central. The bibliometric analysis shows that a total of 1020 articles were extracted for the study. Fibers, fragments, foam, films, and microbeads were the most abundant MPs types found in seaweed such as Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilaria lemaneiformis, and Ulva flexuosa. Most of the MP’s types were recorded in U. prolifera, Caulerpa prolifera, F. vesiculosus, G. lemaneiformis, Chondrus ocellatus, and Ulva lactuca. These MPs contaminated with MPs can cause oxidative damage, cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity in consumers. Most studies on MPs contamination of algae were conducted in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This suggests that since algae are consumed worldwide, additional field and laboratory studies are needed to determine the true situation. The results also suggest that further research is needed on the effects of MPs contaminated with MPs on human health. Further global studies are needed, as well as continuous monitoring of MPs levels in edible algae. Public awareness is crucial to minimize the impact of plastic on the oceans, which requires innovative technologies, consumer choices and environmental responsibility. Interdisciplinary collaboration is key for sustainable coexistence with the marine environment.