Interactions between microplastics and primary producers in aquatic ecosystems

In the last decade, microplastic ingestion and the resulting impacts on animal species have been intensively studied, while microplastic interactions with primary producers have not received as much attention, despite their importance. Therefore, this chapter provides an overview of the occurrence and transport of microplastics and gives insights into their interactions with microalgae, cyanobacteria, and macrophytes. Special emphasis is placed on the description and discussion of the interaction mechanisms between primary producers and microplastics, and the possibility of their trophic transfer. Other topics include the use of macrophytes as bioindicators or in phytoremediation technologies.