The Impact of Plastics on Aquatic Food Webs and Reproductive Health in Freshwater Organisms

Abstract

Plastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental threat, particularly affectingaquatic ecosystems. While marine environments have been extensively studied, freshwatersystems such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands are increasingly impacted by plastic debris. Thisarticle examines the infiltration of plastics into freshwater ecosystems, their disruptionoffood webs, and adverse effects on the reproductive health of aquatic organisms. Acasestudy from a local pond in Telangana illustrates the real-world implications of plasticpollution. The findings underscore the urgent need for global strategies to mitigate plasticpollution and safeguard freshwater biodiversity