dc.contributor.author | Cole, Matthew | |
dc.contributor.author | Lindeque, PK | |
dc.contributor.author | Halsband, C | |
dc.contributor.author | Galloway, Tamara S. | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2016-02-08T12:37:21Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2011-10-14 | |
dc.description.abstract | Since the mass production of plastics began in the 1940s, microplastic contamination of the marine environment has been a growing problem. Here, a review of the literature has been conducted with the following objectives: (1) to summarise the properties, nomenclature and sources of microplastics; (2) to discuss the routes by which microplastics enter the marine environment; (3) to evaluate the methods by which microplastics are detected in the marine environment; (4) to assess spatial and temporal trends of microplastic abundance; and (5) to discuss the environmental impact of microplastics. Microplastics are both abundant and widespread within the marine environment, found in their highest concentrations along coastlines and within mid-ocean gyres. Ingestion of microplastics has been demonstrated in a range of marine organisms, a process which may facilitate the transfer of chemical additives or hydrophobic waterborne pollutants to biota. We conclude by highlighting key future research areas for scientists and policymakers. | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | NERC | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | Department of the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs | en_GB |
dc.identifier.citation | Vol. 62 (12), pp. 2588 - 2597 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.09.025 | |
dc.identifier.grantnumber | ME5413 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10871/19649 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_GB |
dc.publisher | Elsevier | en_GB |
dc.relation.url | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22001295 | en_GB |
dc.rights | © 2011. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ | en_GB |
dc.subject | Animals | en_GB |
dc.subject | Environmental Monitoring | en_GB |
dc.subject | Food Chain | en_GB |
dc.subject | Oceans and Seas | en_GB |
dc.subject | Particle Size | en_GB |
dc.subject | Plastics | en_GB |
dc.subject | Seawater | en_GB |
dc.subject | Time Factors | en_GB |
dc.subject | Water Pollutants, Chemical | en_GB |
dc.title | Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review | en_GB |
dc.type | Article | en_GB |
dc.date.available | 2016-02-08T12:37:21Z | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0025-326X | |
exeter.place-of-publication | England | |
dc.identifier.journal | Marine Pollution Bulletin | en_GB |
refterms.dateFOA | 2019-04-08T09:42:05Z | |