Toward a United Ecological Risk Assessment of Marine Plastics

Plastic pollution poses considerable threats to the marine ecosystem, necessitating comprehensive risk assessment. However, the evaluation of multiple ecological risk pathways for marine organisms in the global ocean remains limited. Here, we assess the global risks of plastic ingestion, entanglement, pollutant adsorption (Methylmercury, MeHg; Perfluorooctane, PFOS), and additive leaching (Bisphenol A, BPA; Phthalate esters, PAEs) by integrating a marine plastic model, multi-size marine organism data, as well as MeHg and PFOS datasets. We reveal significant ingestion risks concentrated in the mid-latitude North Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, North Indian Ocean, and pronounced leaching of plastic additives in these regions. Entanglement hotspots align with regions of flourishing coastal fisheries, highlighting a significant threat to marine species. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that marine plastic debris acts as a vector for persistent organic pollutants. Modeled adsorption load are highest for PFOS on plastics in the North Atlantic and along the densely populated coasts of East and Southeast Asia (0.1–0.3 pg m⁻²), and for MeHg in the North Indian Ocean and the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (1–18 pg m⁻²). Using future emission scenarios, we project plastic concentrations and estimate reduced risks under emission control strategies. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted cleanup efforts and policy interventions to mitigate the pervasive impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.