Microplastics are not important for the cycling and bioaccumulation of organic pollutants in the oceans – but should microplastics be considered POPs themselves?

Authors

Rainer Lohmann, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

2017

Department

Oceanography

Abstract

The role of microplastic particles in the cycling and bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is discussed. Five common concepts, sometimes misconceptions, about the role of microplastics are reviewed. While there is ample evidence that microplastics accumulate high concentrations of POPs, this does not result in microplastics being important for the global dispersion of POPs. Similarly, there is scant evidence that microplastics are an important transfer vector of POPs into animals, but possibly for plastic additives (flame retardants). Last, listing microplastics as POPs could help reduce their environmental impact.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Lohmann, Rainer. Microplastics are not important for the cycling and bioaccumulation of organic pollutants in the oceans – but should microplastics be considered POPs themselves? Integr Env Assess Monit 2017, 13, 460-465.

Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ieam.1914