Μικροπλαστικά και οι επιπτώσεις τους στους θαλάσσιους μικροοργανισμούς

Abstract

In the present thesis, an extensive research and study is attempted for microplastics and the consequences on various marine organisms. The current situation of solid waste in Cyprus is also investigated, particularly in plastics with references to several factors that are directly linked to the issue. This study focused on the effects of microplastics in many organisms and on the factors which affect this. In addition, a detailed reference is contained to ways of facing with and managing microplastics and data on waste in Cyprus with many suggestions and proposals to reduce the problem. A bibliography review was conducted from previous studies that referred to similar subjects in order to find and collect necessary information on the topic. For this reason, a lot of articles and information about microplastics and their impacts on living organisms were collected which related to specific experiments conducted both at laboratory level and physical environment. As far as Cyprus is concerned the provided information was minimum, therefore further evidence through telephone communication was collected. Microplastics are consisting of two major categories and many other subcategories and it is a new environmental issue that must be urgently addressed. They are transferred into marine environment through various agents and with a variety of ways in which the human being has both a direct and indirect responsibility. Their effects and interactions in marine organisms are both biological but are also caused by their properties. Microplastics accumulation or/and absorption from an organism results in the ingestion of them, and later in their transfer to higher trophic organisms through the food chain. It is obvious that the effects of microplastics are chained with a high probability to end up in human.