What ecological risks are associated with microplastics?

• A. Ingestion by marine organisms, entry into food webs, potential toxins.
• B. They degrade quickly and disappear.
• C. They accumulate in sediments and harm benthic organisms.
• D. They neutralize pollutants in the water.

Answer: (D)

Microplastics pose ecological risks mainly because they are readily ingested by a wide range of marine organisms, from plankton to fish and invertebrates, and this intake can move contaminants through food webs as particles are transferred up the chain. In addition, microplastics can carry and later release hazardous additives and adsorbed pollutants, delivering toxins to tissues and potentially affecting growth, reproduction, and survival. They persist in the environment for long periods, so they can accumulate and continue to pose exposure risks rather than disappearing quickly. Contrary to the idea of neutralizing pollutants, microplastics often act as carriers that concentrate contaminants on their surfaces and can release them into organisms, amplifying ecological impacts.