Impacts of microplastics pollution on aquatic food webs

Microplastics (MPs), generally defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter, have become pervasive contaminations in aquatic ecosystems
worldwide (Tursi et al., 2022). They are introduced into the environment through multiple pathways, including the breakdown of larger plastic debris, wastewater effluents, tire wear, and the shedding of synthetic fibres from textiles (Landeros et al., 2022). Due to their persistence, small size, and ability to disperse widely, microplastics have been documented across marine, estuary, and freshwater environment, where they infiltrate habitats at all trophic levels (Kye et al., 2023).