Microplastics in Aquaculture Systems and Their Transfer in the Food Chain

Abstract

As emerging pollutants, microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments. However, our knowledge concerning microplastic pollution in aquaculture systems is limited. Aquaculture systems are designed specifically to rear aquatic animals that serve as a food source for humans. Aquaculture accounts for almost half of the fish used for human consumption worldwide. Therefore, we need to pay more attention to ecological and food safety issues caused by MP pollution in the aquaculture environment. In this chapter, we discuss the sources and distribution characteristics of MPs in aquaculture systems and explore the relationship between MPs and aquatic organisms. Moreover, we summarize the behavioral, morphological, and physiological responses of aquatic animals to MPs. Ultimately, we analyze the migration and potential biomagnification of MPs among trophic levels in the food chain. Based on above analysis, MP pollution needs to be effectively alleviated by developing degradable plastics and reducing the entrance of MPs into aquaculture systems.