Probabilistic environmental risk assessment of microplastics in marine habitats

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment and given the large number of published hazard and exposure studies, quantitative environmental risks assessments of microplastics become feasible. We present here the first environmental risk assessment for marine waters based only on measured concentrations. The Thevariability and uncertainty of the measured data was accounted for in the exposure assessment, while probabilistic species sensitivity distributions were used for hazard assessment, from which a probability distribution was extracted for the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC). By dividing the exposure distribution by the PNEC-distribution, we were able to calculate probabilistic risk characterisation ratios for each water body in which measurements were performed. Results show a good coverage of the world's major water bodies by measured exposure concentrations (MECs), while the hazard assessment could be improved by aligning the type of particles tested in hazard studies (size, form, polymer) to those actually found in the oceans. Overall, the mean predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) is 3.84.10(6) part m(-3), with Oryzias melastigma being the most sensitive species (calculated mean NOEC of 3.90.10(6) part m(-)(3)). Interestingly, the only type of dose descriptor that could be extracted from the literature for particles above 10-20 mu m was the highest observed no effect concentration (HONEC), which indicates a very low or null toxicity of these larger MPs towards marine organisms. The mean MEC is 1.5.10(3) part m(-)(3), the highest concentrations being measured in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Although there is a very small overlap of the probability distribution associated with the RCR (0.00002 % of the data points), the mean RCR is 4.10(-4) and therefore risks are unlikely given the available data. However, as increasing amounts of plastic reach the environment, RCRs can be expected to increase in the future.

Automated summary

Microplastics are widely distributed in the environment, with feasible quantitative environmental risk assessments based on measured concentrations. The study presents the first environmental risk assessment for marine waters using measured concentrations, highlighting the need for improving hazard assessment by aligning particles tested with those found in the oceans.