Issue 10, 2015

Nano-plastics in the aquatic environment

Abstract

The amount of plastics released to the environment in modern days has increased substantially since the development of modern plastics in the early 1900s. As a result, concerns have been raised by the public about the impact of plastics on nature and on, specifically, aquatic wildlife. Lately, much attention has been paid to macro- and micro-sized plastics and their impact on aquatic organisms. However, micro-sized plastics degrade subsequently into nano-sizes whereas nano-sized particles may be released directly into nature. Such particles have a different impact on aquatic organisms than larger pieces of plastic due to their small size, high surface curvature, and large surface area. This review describes the possible sources of nano-sized plastic, its distribution and behavior in nature, the impact of nano-sized plastic on the well-being of aquatic organisms, and the difference of impact between nano- and micro-sized particles. We also identify research areas which urgently need more attention and suggest experimental methods to obtain useful data.

Graphical abstract: Nano-plastics in the aquatic environment

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
13 May 2015
Accepted
19 Aug 2015
First published
19 Aug 2015

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2015,17, 1712-1721

Nano-plastics in the aquatic environment

K. Mattsson, L.-A. Hansson and T. Cedervall, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2015, 17, 1712 DOI: 10.1039/C5EM00227C

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