Start Date
24-4-2025 12:00 AM
Description
Over the last century, the use and production of plastic has surged as demand for cost-effective alternatives to traditional materials has grown. While plastic has been extremely beneficial in reducing the cost of production while expanding the market, it has also created a global pollution crisis. By 2015, an estimated 6,300 million tons of plastic waste had been generated with nearly 80% accumulating in landfills and the environment. Over the last couple decades, researchers have begun to study the effects of plastic waste and its breakdown into microplastic on aquatic environments. Although not all organisms reside in water, every living-being, including humans, relies on water for survival. The signs of microplastics becoming more common to find within living beings have sparked conversations both within and beyond the scientific community. This review of recent studies and literature on the movement of microplastics focuses on creating a general understanding of how microplastics infiltrate and bioaccumulate through the food chain. By examining how microplastics have made their way through the biosphere, research can highlight the lasting impact of pollution on the environment and human health.
Recommended Citation
Torrey, Audrianna, "You Are What You Eat: Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in the Food Chain" (2025). 2025 Student Academic Showcase. 8.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2025/Posters/Posters/8
Included in
You Are What You Eat: Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in the Food Chain
Over the last century, the use and production of plastic has surged as demand for cost-effective alternatives to traditional materials has grown. While plastic has been extremely beneficial in reducing the cost of production while expanding the market, it has also created a global pollution crisis. By 2015, an estimated 6,300 million tons of plastic waste had been generated with nearly 80% accumulating in landfills and the environment. Over the last couple decades, researchers have begun to study the effects of plastic waste and its breakdown into microplastic on aquatic environments. Although not all organisms reside in water, every living-being, including humans, relies on water for survival. The signs of microplastics becoming more common to find within living beings have sparked conversations both within and beyond the scientific community. This review of recent studies and literature on the movement of microplastics focuses on creating a general understanding of how microplastics infiltrate and bioaccumulate through the food chain. By examining how microplastics have made their way through the biosphere, research can highlight the lasting impact of pollution on the environment and human health.