The "Microplastome" - A Holistic Perspective to Capture the Real-World Ecology of Microplastics

Abstract

Microplastic pollution, an emerging pollution issue, has become a significant environmental concern globally due to its ubiquitous, persistent, complex, toxic, and ever-increasing nature. As a multifaceted and diverse suite of small plastic particles with different physicochemical properties and associated matters such as absorbed chemicals and microbes, future research on microplastics will need to comprehensively consider their multidimensional attributes. Here, we introduce a novel, conceptual framework of the "microplastome", defined as the entirety of various plastic particles (<5 mm), and their associated matters such as chemicals and microbes, found within a sample and its overall environmental and toxicological impacts. As a novel concept, this paper aims to emphasize and call for a collective quantification and characterization of microplastics and for a more holistic understanding regarding the differences, connections, and effects of microplastics in different biotic and abiotic ecosystem compartments. Deriving from this lens, we present our insights and prospective trajectories for characterization, risk assessment, and source apportionment of microplastics. We hope this new paradigm can guide and propel microplastic research toward a more holistic era and contribute to an informed strategy for combating this globally important environmental pollution issue.

Keywords: collective characterization; microplastic pollution; microplastome; multidimensional signature; risk assessment; source apportionment.

Figure 1

Pervasive, complex, and interlinked microplastomes in various biotic and abiotic ecosystem compartments. Pollution sources and environmental properties of the ambient medium jointly shape the compositional signature of the microplastome, and conversely, the compositional signature of the microplastome can also mirror environmental conditions and pollution sources. The diversity of microplastics characterizes the contamination complexity, which in turn reflects the difficulty in effective management. Whether a correlation exists between the diversity and the impact of microplastics is unclear. Equal concentrations of microplastics do not represent equal risks, and the collective risk of the entire set of microplastics is not equal to the sum of the risks of individuals. Consequently, a holistic standpoint should be taken for uncovering the real-world ecological and health impacts posed by microplastics.

Figure 2

New paradigm for microplastic research with a holistic perspective.