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Research Trends of Microplastics: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis Using the Methodi Ordinatio Approach
Summary
This review looked at nearly 90 studies on microplastics to see how scientists detect them and what methods exist to remove them from our environment. The takeaway: while we've gotten pretty good at identifying microplastics using lab techniques, the technology to actually remove them is still inconsistent and mostly stuck in early testing phases, not ready for real-world cleanup. This matters because until removal methods catch up, microplastics will keep accumulating in our water, food, and likely our bodies—making standardized, scalable solutions an urgent research priority.
Microplastic pollution is a major environmental concern due to its persistence, global distribution, and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, analyzes research trends in microplastics with a focus on physicochemical characterization and removal technologies. A literature search was performed in Scopus and Web of Science (1972–2025) using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. After screening and duplicate removal, 89 studies were included in the final analysis. It is considered that with this dataset, it is possible to capture the main analytical and technological developments in the field. As a bibliometric-oriented study, no formal risk-of-bias assessment was conducted. However, a qualitative consideration of potential biases was undertaken, particularly regarding publication bias, database coverage limitations, and the predominance of English-language peer-reviewed studies. These aspects were considered when interpreting the results. The Methodi Ordinatio approach was then used to rank publications based on scientific relevance and citation impact. Results show the predominance of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy for microplastic characterization, while removal technologies remain heterogeneous and less standardized, with most approaches still at laboratory scale. Key gaps include the lack of standardized analytical protocols and limited integration between detection and remediation strategies. Overall, this review highlights critical research trends and supports the development of scalable solutions for microplastic pollution.