Thailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences

Abstract Microplastic (MP) pollution is a critical environmental issue affecting ecosystems globally, with significant implications for wildlife and human health. This systematic review examines MP contamination in animal taxa across Thailand from 2016 to 2024, highlighting the extensive presence of...

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Main Authors: Weerachon Sawangproh, Paiphan Paejaroen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-01-01
Series:Environmental Sciences Europe
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-01043-z
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author Weerachon Sawangproh
Paiphan Paejaroen
author_facet Weerachon Sawangproh
Paiphan Paejaroen
author_sort Weerachon Sawangproh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Microplastic (MP) pollution is a critical environmental issue affecting ecosystems globally, with significant implications for wildlife and human health. This systematic review examines MP contamination in animal taxa across Thailand from 2016 to 2024, highlighting the extensive presence of MPs in diverse habitats, particularly in benthic environments, which account for 55% of contamination. Fish, especially from the Cyprinidae family, are the most affected, followed by filter feeders like mussels and shrimp. The review identifies prevalent MP types, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyester (PES), with fibers being the dominant shape. The ingestion of MPs poses direct physical threats to wildlife and serves as a vector for harmful chemicals, raising concerns about bioaccumulation and biomagnification within food webs, ultimately impacting human health through seafood consumption. Despite increasing research activity, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the long-term ecological and health effects of MP pollution. Future research should focus on the physiological impacts of MP ingestion, the dynamics of trophic transfer, and the effectiveness of waste management strategies. Enhanced detection methods and assessments of regional and seasonal variability in MP contamination are essential for a comprehensive understanding of this issue. Addressing MP pollution in Thailand necessitates a multidisciplinary approach that combines scientific inquiry, public awareness, and effective policy implementation. This review underscores the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to protect biodiversity and human health from the pervasive impacts of MP contamination.
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spelling doaj-art-64e4713ed3f04f5f839aad8753f802fb2025-01-19T12:13:51ZengSpringerOpenEnvironmental Sciences Europe2190-47152025-01-0137111710.1186/s12302-024-01043-zThailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequencesWeerachon Sawangproh0Paiphan Paejaroen1Conservation Biology Program, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus, Mahidol UniversityConservation Biology Program, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus, Mahidol UniversityAbstract Microplastic (MP) pollution is a critical environmental issue affecting ecosystems globally, with significant implications for wildlife and human health. This systematic review examines MP contamination in animal taxa across Thailand from 2016 to 2024, highlighting the extensive presence of MPs in diverse habitats, particularly in benthic environments, which account for 55% of contamination. Fish, especially from the Cyprinidae family, are the most affected, followed by filter feeders like mussels and shrimp. The review identifies prevalent MP types, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyester (PES), with fibers being the dominant shape. The ingestion of MPs poses direct physical threats to wildlife and serves as a vector for harmful chemicals, raising concerns about bioaccumulation and biomagnification within food webs, ultimately impacting human health through seafood consumption. Despite increasing research activity, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the long-term ecological and health effects of MP pollution. Future research should focus on the physiological impacts of MP ingestion, the dynamics of trophic transfer, and the effectiveness of waste management strategies. Enhanced detection methods and assessments of regional and seasonal variability in MP contamination are essential for a comprehensive understanding of this issue. Addressing MP pollution in Thailand necessitates a multidisciplinary approach that combines scientific inquiry, public awareness, and effective policy implementation. This review underscores the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to protect biodiversity and human health from the pervasive impacts of MP contamination.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-01043-zMarine pollutionEcosystem healthBiodiversity conservationSustainable waste managementEnvironmental sustainability
spellingShingle Weerachon Sawangproh
Paiphan Paejaroen
Thailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences
Environmental Sciences Europe
Marine pollution
Ecosystem health
Biodiversity conservation
Sustainable waste management
Environmental sustainability
title Thailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences
title_full Thailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences
title_fullStr Thailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences
title_full_unstemmed Thailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences
title_short Thailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences
title_sort thailand s animals in peril a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences
topic Marine pollution
Ecosystem health
Biodiversity conservation
Sustainable waste management
Environmental sustainability
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-01043-z
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AT paiphanpaejaroen thailandsanimalsinperilasystematicreviewofmicroplasticcontaminationanditsecologicalconsequences