By Charlie Willis –

Food security and human health are under threat from microplastics in our oceans. But to what extent? The journal article; ‘Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety and human health’ by Gabriel et al. (2018) addresses the scale of the microplastic impact regarding marine-life and subsequently its effects on humans, by displaying key data collections from leading international organisations. This primary data, highlights the clear gaps in knowledge and areas for necessary future research, into the impact of microplastic pollution [1]. The quantitative focus of the research, also demonstrates to the general public, the severity of the issue and how it may affect how food secure they are.

Microplastics in sediments from the rivers Elbe (A), Mosel (B), Neckar (C), and Rhine (D). Note the diverse shapes (filaments, fragments, and spheres) and that not all items are microplastics (e.g., aluminium foil (C) and glass spheres and sand (D), white arrowheads). The white bars represent 1 mm [9].

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size [5]. Microplastics result from the disintegration of larger plastic [1]. Examples of microplastics are pre-production pellets and components of products, such as fragments of fishing gear and personal care products (e.g. facial cleansers & toothpaste) [4].

Often microplastics are ingested by organisms because they are confused with prey [8] Microplastic ingestion has been observed in a range of animals that are consumed by humans as food, including fish (e.g. Atlantic cod & European sea bass), bivalves (e.g. mussels, oysters), and crustaceans (e.g. brown shrimp) [7]. For example, among the 25 species contributing mostly to global sea fishing, 11 were found to contain microplastics [3]. There is significant potential for those affected to be keystone species ; thus their populations are crucial to the functioning of ecosystems [6]. These ecosystem changes, threaten fish stocks around the globe, depended on by many nations whose diets contain high quantities of seafood.

The presence of plastic debris has been detected in seafood sold for human consumption, as well as in fish and shellfish purchased from markets [11]. Van Cauwenberghe and Janssen (2014) calculated that, in European countries with high shellfish consumption, consumers ingest up to 11,000 microplastic particles (size range 5–1000 μm) annually [8].

Although, the occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of fish does not provide direct evidence for human exposure, since this organ is usually not consumed [10], generally seafood species that we eat whole (e.g. some small or juvenile phases of fish) pose a greater threat to seafood contamination than, for example, gutted fish [1].

In conclusion, the journal article clearly displays the extent of the effects that microplastics have on marine life and, therefore, human health and food security. We can begin to focus on raising awareness of the environmental disaster happening before us and prevent future disasters regarding food security.

References and further reading

(1) Barboza, L., Dick Vethaak, A., Lavorante, B., Lundebye, A., & Guilhermino, L. (2018). Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety and human health. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 133, 336-348.

(2) de Sá, L. C., Luís, L. G., & Guilhermino, L. (2015). Effects of microplastics on juveniles of the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps): confusion with prey, reduction of the predatory performance and efficiency, and possible influence of developmental conditions. Environmental pollution, 196, 359-362.

(3) FAO, I. (2016). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture. Contributing to food security and nutrition for all, 200.

(4) Fendall, L. S., & Sewell, M. A. (2009). Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: microplastics in facial cleansers. Marine pollution bulletin, 58(8), 1225-1228.

(5) GESAMP, G. (2016). Sources, fate and effects of microplastics in the marine environment: part two of a global assessment. (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/UNIDO/WMO/IAEA/UN/UNEP/UNDP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection). Rep. Stud. GESAMP No. 93, 220.

(11) Li, J., Yang, D., Li, L., Jabeen, K., & Shi, H. (2015). Microplastics in commercial bivalves from China. Environmental pollution, 207, 190-195.

(6) Luís, L. G., Ferreira, P., Fonte, E., Oliveira, M., & Guilhermino, L. (2015). Does the presence of microplastics influence the acute toxicity of chromium (VI) to early juveniles of the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps)? A study with juveniles from two wild estuarine populations. Aquatic Toxicology, 164, 163-174.

(7) Lusher, A., Hollman, P., & Mendoza-Hill, J. (2017). Microplastics in fisheries and aquaculture: status of knowledge on their occurrence and implications for aquatic organisms and food safety.

(8) Van Cauwenberghe, L., & Janssen, C. R. (2014). Microplastics in bivalves cultured for human consumption. Environmental pollution, 193, 65-70.

(9) Wagner et al (2014). Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know. In: Environmental Sciences Europe, 26. In Wikimedia Commons [Accessed December 3, 2021]; from doi:10.1186/s12302-014-0012-7

(12) World Food Summit (1996). Rome Declaration on World Food Security. 2.

(10) Wright, S. L., & Kelly, F. J. (2017). Plastic and human health: a micro issue?. Environmental science & technology, 51(12), 6634-6647.