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Microplastics in Environment & Freshwater Ecosystems: Sources, Distribution, Types, Characteristics and Ecological Impacts
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This review pulls together over 20 years of research on tiny plastic bits (microplastics) polluting our rivers, lakes, and drinking water sources, mostly from broken-down plastic waste, synthetic clothing fibers, and cosmetic beads. These particles can harm fish and other freshwater life by disrupting digestion and hormones, and they can also soak up toxic chemicals and germs—meaning the health risks may not stop with wildlife, since these contaminants can move up the food chain to humans. The takeaway: better waste management, cleaner water treatment, and public awareness are needed now, since scientists are still working out
Microplastics are now becoming an environmental pollutant of freshwater bodies around the globe. Microplastics are plastic particles, generally less than 5 mm, which are either primary plastic particles of microbeads used in cosmetics and industrial pellets, or synthetic fibres from clothing or other textiles. Similarly, they can be small plastic pieces formed from the fragmentation of large plastic debris. Contamination of freshwater ecosystems by microplastics is increasing due to growing urbanisation, industrialisation, agricultural practices and inefficient waste management. Freshwater sources like rivers, lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs are impacted. This study analyses the sources, distributional characteristics, ecological effects, and management perspectives of freshwater microplastics. The data for the study was collected from published scientific articles, and review papers from the year 2004 up to 2025, and environmental reports. The databases were Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. According to the study, fibers and fragments are the most abundant microplastics, while polyethene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) and polyethene-terephthalate (PET) are the most detected polymers. Microplastics can impede the digestion of freshwater organisms, cause oxidative stress and inflammation, disrupt hormones, and transfer through the food chain. Microplastics absorb toxic pollutants and microbe colonization which further increases environmental and human health risks. This is according to future study. The techniques for monitoring microplastics should be standardised, the study states. We need to enhance wastewater treatment systems. Next, prepare a comprehensive program for plastics management. The public should be educated about microplastics.
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Microplastics in Environment & Freshwater Ecosystems: Sources, Distribution, Types, Characteristics and Ecological Impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
This review pulls together over 20 years of research on tiny plastic particles (microplastics) polluting our rivers, lakes, and other freshwater sources, tracing them back to things like cosmetics, synthetic clothing fibers, and larger plastic trash breaking down over time. The concerning part: these particles can harm aquatic life by disrupting digestion and hormones, and they can also soak up toxic chemicals and harmful microbes—meaning they don't just stay in the water, but can work their way up the food chain toward us. Since our drinking water often comes from these same freshwater sources, the researchers call for better water treatment syst
Microplastics in Freshwater Environment
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This review of existing research shows that tiny plastic particles from everyday sources, like wastewater, farm runoff, and even air pollution, are building up in our lakes, rivers, and streams, where they can carry harmful bacteria, heavy metals, and hormone-disrupting chemicals. Fish and other freshwater animals that ingest these particles can suffer serious health problems, and since these same pollutants can move through the food chain and water supply, they may pose risks to human health too. The bottom line: stronger pollution policies and better cleanup methods are needed to protect both aquatic ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
Microplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems: Sources, Pathways, Biological Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies — A Comprehensive Review
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This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on microplastic sources, transport pathways, and biological impacts across aquatic ecosystems, documenting effects ranging from physical blockages and oxidative stress to endocrine disruption and antimicrobial resistance dispersal in fish, shellfish, plankton, and cetaceans. It calls for integrated waste management, advanced monitoring technologies, and enforceable global policy frameworks to address the multifaceted threat to aquatic biodiversity and public health.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems: Sources, Transport and Ecotoxicological Impacts on Aquatic Life and Human Health
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This review summarizes how microplastics enter freshwater ecosystems from sources like industrial runoff, urban waste, and agriculture, and how they accumulate in sediments where aquatic organisms ingest them. Researchers found that microplastics reduce feeding efficiency, inhibit growth, and harm reproduction in freshwater species, while also acting as carriers for toxic chemicals that build up through the food chain. The study highlights the need for better waste management and further research to understand the full scope of risks to both aquatic life and human health.
Micro Plastic Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems: Sources, Fate and Effects
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This review addresses microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems, examining sources including synthetic textile washing microfibers and cosmetic microbeads, and the secondary fragmentation of larger plastic debris. The authors assess the fate of particles in rivers and lakes, their effects on aquatic organisms, and the adequacy of current management approaches.
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