Microplastics in the Great Lakes: Environmental, Health, and Socioeconomic Implications and Future Directions

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are tiny pieces of plastic (<5 mm) that have been manufactured, shed from textiles, or formed as the degradation products of macroplastics. They can be taken up by aquatic organisms, leading to their incorporation into the food chain. Humans can consume MPs from fish as well as other impacted sources including bottled and tap water. MPs may pose risks to exposed organisms, and they can also act as vectors carrying additional adsorbed chemical pollutants and pathogens. MPs are an especially important focus regarding the Great Lakes because plastics comprise most of the litter, and the Great Lakes serve as a source of drinking water for 40 million people. This perspective summarizes the current state of MP pollution in the Great Lakes and potential risks posed to the environment, wildlife, and humans. A survey of detection, separation, and quantification methods is included. Potential remedies are explored, focusing on policy, human behavior, and the goal of a circular economy. Further research directions include standardizing detection and removal methods, assessing the health risk of MPs in the Great Lakes, and evaluating mitigation options.