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Bioremediation of Microplastic and Associated Pollutants Using Medicinal Plants as an Environmentally Friendly Approach / Review Article
Summary
Tiny plastic particles in our water and soil don't just pollute the environment—they act like sponges that soak up toxic chemicals and heavy metals, which can then travel up the food chain into the food we eat. This review pulls together existing research showing that common plants like Aloe vera, mint, basil, and duckweed can naturally absorb and break down these pollutants, offering a cheap, eco-friendly cleanup method when combined with modern filtering technology. While this is still an emerging strategy rather than a ready-made solution, it points toward promising, low-cost ways to protect water supplies and reduce our exposure to microplast
General Background: Microplastics have become a major environmental concern because of their widespread distribution in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and their ability to adsorb organic pollutants and heavy metals. Specific Background: These particles function as carriers of toxic substances within food chains, causing biological and health disorders in aquatic organisms and humans, while conventional removal methods remain limited in addressing persistent contamination. Knowledge Gap: Despite growing studies on physical, chemical, and biological remediation approaches, integrated environmentally friendly strategies combining medicinal plants with modern technologies for microplastic treatment remain insufficiently discussed. Aims: This review aims to characterize microplastics, identify their major sources, examine their environmental and health consequences, and evaluate sustainable remediation technologies, particularly medicinal plant-based bioremediation. Results: The study shows that medicinal plants such as Aloe vera, Mentha spicata, Ocimum basilicum, and Lemna minor can absorb, transport, and biodegrade pollutants associated with microplastics. Integration with nanotechnology, advanced filtration, photocatalysis, and rhizobacterial interactions further increases pollutant removal capacity and reduces toxic accumulation in aquatic environments. Novelty: The article highlights an integrated phytoremediation framework that combines medicinal plants with advanced environmental technologies to support sustainable microplastic management. Implications: This approach offers an environmentally friendly and low-cost strategy for protecting aquatic ecosystems, reducing pollutant transfer through food chains, improving water quality, and supporting long-term human and environmental health sustainability. Highlights: • Medicinal plants absorb and biodegrade heavy metals and organic contaminants associated with plastic particles.• Integration of phytoremediation with nanotechnology and filtration systems increases pollutant removal capacity.• Sustainable treatment strategies support aquatic ecosystem protection and long-term water resource management. Keywords: Microplastics, Phytoremediation, Medicinal Plants, Aquatic Systems, Heavy Metals