Microplastics as Contaminants in Water Bodies and Their Threat to the Aquatic Animals: A Mini-Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Microplastics (MPs, diameter of >5 mm), as an environmental stressor, have become the focus of the problematization of plastics in the environment due to their serious global pollution. The literature on the presence of MPs in the worldwide water environment and stress on the aquatic animals associated with MP pollution were reviewed. ABSTRACT: Microplastics (MPs), which are particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm, have been extensively studied due to their serious global pollution. Typically, MPs in water originate from terrestrial input. A number of studies have reported the presence of MPs as a stressor in water environments worldwide, and their potential threat to the aquatic animals, affecting the growth, oxidative stress responses, body composition, histopathology, intestinal flora, and immune and reproduction systems. During the plastic degradation process, a large variety of toxic substances are released. MPs have been proposed to be the carriers of toxic chemicals and harmful microorganisms. A study of the literature on MP pollution and stress on the aquatic animals associated with MPs was carried out.