The Impact of Microplastics on Freshwater Fauna: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Microplastic pollution poses an emerging and persistent threat to the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems, affecting the health and stability of various freshwater organisms.

Objective: To systematically analyze the biological impact of microplastics on freshwater fauna as reported in high-impact scientific literature over the past decade.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology. The search was performed in databases indexed in Scopus, selecting 28 original studies that met criteria of scientific rigor regarding physiological, taxonomic, and morphological effects on freshwater fauna.

Results: The findings confirm that microplastics induce oxidative stress, tissue inflammation, and neurotoxicity. Filter-feeding organisms and benthic invertebrates were identified as the most sensitive groups. Furthermore, it was determined that microfibers and irregular fragments cause significantly more severe organ damage than microspheres, while also acting as vectors for chemical contaminants.

Conclusions: Exposure to microplastics constitutes a systemic risk that compromises the biological fitness of freshwater fauna. It is imperative to integrate the morphological diversity of polymers into environmental monitoring protocols and to strengthen regulations to preserve the integrity of these ecosystems.

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Keywords: Microplastics; freshwater; fauna; ecotoxicology; environmental pollutants; food chain.