Poluição plástica e seus efeitos em organismos aquáticos

Abstract

Plastics are synthetic polymers derived from fossil fuels, with high durability and low production costs, which has allowed the creation of multiple versatile utensils for human routine. However, the accumulation of this waste in the environment impacts geophysical and biological processes, in addition to posing a risk to human health, since the toxicity of plastic materials is potentially aggravated by associated chemicals, such as Bisphenol A and phthalates, which trigger mechanisms related to oxidative stress and metabolic disorders in numerous organisms, including humans. Numerous impacts on the environment are also observed, especially in aquatic environments, as they receive plastic debris from human activities such as fishing, agriculture, industry and tourism, which together generate more than 430 million tons of plastic waste in ecosystems annually. When exposed to the environment, these plastic wastes release microparticles from leaching processes that occur in terrestrial environments, which run off on the surface or through groundwater into aquatic ecosystems. Other sources include domestic sewage and precipitation. After reaching lakes, ponds, rivers, and estuaries, these particles can accumulate in sediments or be transported to the oceans. Given the numerous problems currently associated with plastic pollution, especially involving aquatic environments and their toxicological effects on biodiversity, the general objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms. The specific objectives were (1) to evaluate the effects caused by plastic pollution on animals in coastal environments through a systematic review (chapter 1); and (2) to experimentally evaluate the toxicological effects of microplastics on freshwater microcrustaceans (chapter 2). At the end of this work, we hope to contribute with relevant data to understanding the impacts of plastic pollution on different aquatic organisms, encouraging the implementation of public policies and environmental education strategies aimed at combating pollution caused by this emerging contaminant.