Microplastics in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: A Literature Review

Plastics have become a ubiquitous feature of modern life, with their presence continually increasing. This widespread use has led to the global proliferation of plastics, including contamination of aquatic environments. This review focuses on microplastics—plastic particles less than 5 mm in size—in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The central objective was to evaluate the abundance and potential impacts of microplastics in the region. Findings appear to indicate that microplastic concentrations in the water are below global averages, while concentrations in shoreline sediments are slightly above average. Although it appears fewer biological specimens contain microplastics in this region, the number of plastic particles per specimen appears higher compared to global observations. Microplastics significantly delay the transition of dissolved organic matter to particulate organic matter (by more than 200%), bioaccumulate in organisms, serve as adsorption surfaces for toxins and pollutants, and cause a range of biological effects. Further research is necessary to accurately quantify microplastic pollution and evaluate its ecological and environmental impacts.