Impacts of Microplastics on the Cells of Aquatic Organisms
DOI:
10.29303/jbt.v26i1.10986Published:
2026-03-04Downloads
Abstract
Microplastics (<5mm) are currently one of the most concerning contaminants in aquatic environments, especially in coastal areas of Indonesia. This literature review aims to identify the types, sources, and abundance levels of microplastics, as well as their potential impacts on aquatic organisms and implications for human health. Microplastics were found at concentrations of approximately 38,000 particles per kilogram of sediment in Indonesian waters and more than 1,500 particles per individual in aquatic animals. Microplastic pollution has been shown to accumulate in the digestive systems of organisms and can translocate to tissues, which can then enter the human food chain. Health impacts that have been identified include the risk of chronic inflammation, digestive system disorders, liver damage, and an increased risk of cancer. Overall, this literature review shows that microplastic pollution in aquatic organisms in Indonesia is at a very worrying level and requires decisive action through reducing the use of plastic materials, improving waste processing, and continuous monitoring. These conditions can harm all aquatic organisms, leading to digestive disorders and even death.
Keywords:
Aquatic organisms Cellular toxicity Environmental pollution MicroplasticsReferences
Andrady, A. L. (2022). Microplastics in the marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 174, 113254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113254
Barboza, L. G. A., Dick Vethaak, A., Lavorante, B. R., Lundebye, A. K., & Guilhermino, L. (2023). Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 133, 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.01.045
Barrows, A. P. W., et al. (2023). Marine environment microplastic occurrence in water column and sediments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 181, 113854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113854
Cole, M., Lindeque, P., Halsband, C., & Galloway, T. S. (2011). Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review. Marine pollution bulletin, 62(12), 2588-2597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.111897
Fauziah, R., Nugraha, D., & Pramesti, P. (2023). Akumulasi mikroplastik dalam sistem pencernaan ikan tenggiri di TPI Muara Angke. Jurnal Biologi Tropis, 23(1), 112-120. https://doi.org/10.29303/jbt.v23i1.4567
Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2024). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700782
Halden, N. M. (2021). Plastics and health risks in the marine environment. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 402, 123484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123484
Handayani, P., & Samosir, T. (2021). Dampak mikroplastik terhadap kesehatan manusia melalui konsumsi makanan laut. Indonesian Journal of Public Health, 16(2), 100–112. https://doi.org/10.20473/ijph.v16i2.2021
Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., ... & Law, K. L. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. science, 347(6223), 768-771. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260352
Khoironi, A., et al. (2024). The existence of microplastics in water and fish. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 21(4), 11-19. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/119974
Li, W. C., Tse, H. F., & Fok, L. (2021). Plastic waste in the marine environment: A review of pollution impacts. Science of the Total Environment, 566, 333-349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.05.198
Lusher, A. L., & Welden, N. A. (2022). Microplastic impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. In Handbook of Microplastics in the Environment (pp. 977-1004). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0001en
Mitrano, D. M., & Wohlleben, W. (2024). Microplastic regulation should be more precise. Nature Communications, 11(1), 5324. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19069-1
Nugroho, A. S., et al. (2023). Kelimpahan mikroplastik pada kerang di wilayah pesisir. Jurnal Ilmu Kelautan, 28(2), 45-56. https://doi.org/10.14710/ik.ijms.28.2.45-56
Prata, J. C., Da Costa, J. P., Lopes, I., Duarte, A. C., & Rocha-Santos, T. (2020). Environmental exposure to microplastics: An overview on possible human health effects. Science of the total environment, 702, 134455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136815
Rahman, A., Wijaya, H., & Lani, M. (2022). Kandungan mikroplastik pada ikan di perairan pesisir. Marine Science Review, 7(4), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.31258/jgs.7.4.55-63
Rochman, C. M. (2021). Microplastics research from sink to source. Science, 360(6384), 28-29. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aar7734
Sari, D., Hamzah, R., & Yusuf, M. (2023). Mikroplastik pada moluska dan ikan di perairan Indonesia. Jurnal Biologi Tropis, 23(2), 214–227. https://doi.org/10.29303/jbt.v23i2.5678
Silva, A. B., et al. (2022). Microplastics contamination in aquatic ecosystems and their effects on human health. Water Research, 129, 154–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.11.011
Smith, M., et al. (2023). Microplastics in seafood: Health implications. Current Environmental Health Reports, 5(3), 375-385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0206-z
Thushari, G. G. N., & Senevirathna, J. D. M. (2024). Plastic pollution in the marine environment. Heliyon, 6(8), e04709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04709
Wang, J., et al. (2022). The effects of microplastics on marine biota. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 412, 125215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125215
Wright, S. L., & Kelly, F. J. (2023). Plastic and human health: A micro issue? Environmental Science & Technology, 51(12), 6634-6647. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3b00423
Yusuf, M., et al. (2024). Monitoring microplastics in Indonesian waters. Marine Pollution Journal, 185, 114321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.114321
Zhou, Q., et al. (2021). Microplastics in the coastal environment. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 12345-12356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11111-w
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Adolfin Keke, Theresia Naring, Maria Dolfiana Itu, Veronika P. Sinta Mbia Wae
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Jurnal Biologi Tropis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The copyright of the received article shall be assigned to the author as the owner of the paper. The intended copyright includes the right to publish the article in various forms (including reprints). The journal maintains the publishing rights to the published articles.
Authors are permitted to disseminate published articles by sharing the link/DOI of the article at the journal. Authors are allowed to use their articles for any legal purposes deemed necessary without written permission from the journal with an acknowledgment of initial publication to this journal.
