Effect of microplastics on aquatic biota: A hormetic perspective

As emerging pollutants, microplastics (MPs) have been found globally in various freshwater and marine matrices. This study recompiled 270 endpoints of 3765 individuals from 43 publications, reporting the onset enhanced biological performance reduced oxidative stress biomarkers induced by MPs aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations (?1 mg/L, median = 0.1 mg/L). The stimulatory responses consumption, growth, reproduction survival ranged 131% to 144% control, with a combined response 136%. overall inhibitory 9 was 71% commonly below 75%. random-effects meta-regression indicated that extents MPs-induced were independent habitat, MP composition, morphology, particle size exposure duration. results implied low high might induce opposite/non-monotonic biota. Correspondingly, hormetic dose relationships endpoints, such as reproduction, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity behavioral alteration. Hormesis offers novel perspective for understanding mode exposed MPs, highlighting necessity incorporate model into ecological/environmental risk assessment MPs.