Microplastics in sediments: A review of techniques, occurrence and effects

• An in-depth analysis of literature regarding microplastics in sediments was performed.
• Extraction techniques, occurrence and distribution, and impacts were discussed.
• There is a clear need for standardisation and harmonisation of techniques.
• Effect assessments should represent more realistic exposure conditions.

Microplastics are omnipresent in the marine environment and sediments are hypothesized to be major sinks of these plastics. Here, over 100 articles spanning the last 50 year are reviewed with following objectives: (i) to evaluate current microplastic extraction techniques, (ii) to discuss the occurrence and worldwide distribution of microplastics in sediments, and (iii) to make a comprehensive assessment of the possible adverse effects of this type of pollution to marine organisms. Based on this review we propose future research needs and conclude that there is a clear need for a standardized techniques, unified reporting units and more realistic effect assessments.