The state of microplastic pollution in México: a review and evolving perspectives

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a significant global environmental concern. These small plastic fragments, originating from the degradation of larger plastics, infiltrate marine and terrestrial ecosystems. This article reviews the current state of research on microplastics in Mexico using the PRISMA method. The information collected focused on the distribution, characterization and abundances of microplastics across different environmental matrices. A literature search was conducted in high-quality databases from 2014 to 2024, resulting in 80 scientific articles documenting studies in environmental matrices such as sediments/soil, biota, water and atmosphere across 20 states of Mexico. The most extensively studied environmental matrix is sediment -particularly beach sand-, followed by biota, water and atmosphere. The most reported microplastic shapes and color are transparent and blue fibers, primarily made of polypropylene and polyethylene. It is imperative to standardize the methods for studying microplastics to serve as a monitoring tool for assessing and comparing microplastic abundances both nationally and globally. The standardization of sampling, laboratory analysis, and abundance reporting units will facilitate the comparison of studies. Establishing a national microplastics database would support long term monitoring and inform mitigation strategies. While this initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 14 -Life Below Water- specifically target 14.1.1.b aimed at reducing marine pollution, the widespread presence of microplastics in freshwater, soil and air underscores the need to integrate SDGs 6, SDG 12 and SDG 15 to address plastic pollution holistically.