Occurrence of Microplastics in Commercial Seafood under the Perspective of the Human Food Chain. A Review
Raffaelina Mercogliano, Carlo Giacomo Avio, Francesco Regoli, Aniello Anastasio, Giampaolo Colavita, Serena Santonicola
Abstract
The occurrence of microplastics in the marine ecosystem and aquatic organisms, their trophic transfer along the food web, and the identification of seafood species as suitable indicators have become a research priority. Despite the high quantity of research in this field, a comparison between the available data and an appropriate risk assessment remains difficult. In this perspective, as an innovative approach, the association of the feeding strategies of commercial seafood and the microplastic level was considered. Further research to assess the occurrence of microplastics in the marine food web, the long-term effects on animals and humans, and the health implications is needed.