MICROPLASTICS AND FISH: DISRUPTIONS IN REPRODUCTION, BEHAVIOR, GROWTH, AND IMMUNE FUNCTION, AND THEIR CASCADING EFFECTS ON ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMANS

Abstract

Years by year the rate of plastic accumulation in oceans is increasing. Microbiological activity, UV radiation, cooling/heating cycles, and freeze/thaw cycles all contribute to the deterioration of plastic. Microplastic, nanoplastic, macroplastic, and mesoplastic are the many types of plastic that decompose. Plastic fragments are present on the surface, in sediments, and the water column, depending on their density. Fish is essential to a diet because of its high protein content. Fish thatconsume plankton may absorb microplastic that areconnected to them or pass them off as food. Fish that consume jellyfish might consume plastic because it resembles the creatures and floatson the surface. Filter feeders also allow fish to drink the water they filter. Both sediments and detritivores fish that consume substrate contain microplastic. The general health of fish is adversely affected by microplastic. Plastic creates digestive problems that result in gastrointestinal blockage, which causes satiation,mortality, and physical deterioration once it enters the body. By changing organismal defense mechanisms, nanoplastics may disrupt innate immune responses in fish populations and function as stressors to fish’ innateimmuneresponses. Micro- and nanoplasticsmay accumulatein fish gonadal tissues, which can be damaging to reproduction. Fatty vacuolation, single-cell necrosis, and loss of glycogen are symptoms of liver stress in fish exposed to virgin treatments and marine plastic.