Micro(nanoplastics) in the marine environment: Current knowledge and gaps

The topic of Micro(nanoplastics) in the marine environment is attracting attention because of their potential impact in sea organisms and humans. There are several sources of Micro (nanoplastics) such as micro and nanoparticle production or fragmentation off bigger plastics. Nanoplastics can have a bigger capacity to concentrate toxic compounds either associated with its production or sorbed from the environment has not been extensively evaluated. Indications suggest that nanoplastics carry more toxics than microplatics (more than million times than seawater). These nanoplastics can also carry microorganisms. There is no harmonization of methodologies for sampling and analysis of micro(nanoplastics) and there are limits in the accuracy of sizes of these particles that can be detected. Calculation of their possible concentrations in the environment is biased by the analytical instrumentation. This paper summarizes the knowledge gaps in the analysis and repercussions of micro(nanoplastics) in the environment and organisms.