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Tracing the microplastic cycle in ecosystems with sources biological interactions and mitigation strategies
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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics have worked their way into soil, water, air, plants, animals, and eventually our bodies, and scientists still aren't sure exactly what long-term harm this causes to our health. This review pulls together existing research on how microplastics move through ecosystems and accumulate in living things, while also highlighting promising cleanup methods—but it stresses that more research is urgently needed to fully understand the risks and find better solutions.
Abstract The widespread dependence on plastics has led to the persistent accumulation of microplastics (MPs) across terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments. These microscopic plastic fragments originate from direct release (primary plastics), the degradation of larger plastic materials (secondary plastics), and are now recognized as ubiquitous environmental contaminants. There are substantial uncertainties in the long-term ecological and health impacts of MPs, their major routes in the trophic levels and any cross talks with neighbour contaminants. This review critically examines the current status of MP pollution by outlining their major sources, environmental distribution, and transformation within ecosystem cycles. Special emphasis is given on understanding the interactions of MPs with plants, animals, microorganisms and humans, highlighting their uptake routes, bioaccumulation and potential physiological and ecological consequences. A bibliometric assessment using VOSviewer is also presented to illustrate global research trends and knowledge gaps in this field, based on the Scopus database. The strong evidence presented in this study collectively indicates the percolation of MPs into the ecosystem's natural cycles, thereby posing long-term risks to human health and contaminating ecological trophic levels. Furthermore, this investigation has focused on advancements in existing physical, chemical, and biological mitigation strategies, with a specific focus on environmentally sustainable and cost-effective approaches. Future research must prioritize optimizing sustainable remediation strategies, delving into the mechanistic insights of these methodologies, and developing large-scale mitigation centers to achieve clean environmental goals.
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This review summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles called microplastics, covering where they come from, how they spread through water, soil and air, and their effects on fish and ecosystems. It also reviews cleanup methods and notes that while human exposure is well documented, evidence linking it to health problems remains limited.
Microplastics in the environment: sources, impacts, and strategies for mitigation
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Tiny plastic bits called microplastics, created when everyday plastic items break down, have been found in surprising places, including our blood, fish, soil, and water, and scientists are still working to understand exactly how harmful they are. This review pulls together what researchers currently know about where these particles come from, how they spread, and what methods might remove them, while pointing out that we still lack solid answers on their long-term health effects and the best ways to clean them up. The takeaway: microplastic pollution is a growing concern worth watching, even though the science on its full impact to our bodies is still catching up.
Microplastics in ecological system: Their prevalence, health effects, and remediation
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This review provides an overview of microplastic prevalence across different ecosystems and their potential effects on environmental and human health. The researchers discuss how microplastics enter water, soil, and food chains, and examine the various biological effects documented in organisms. They also review current remediation strategies being developed to address microplastic contamination.
Environmental Fate and Ecological Risk of Micro- and Nanoplastics across Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems
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Scientists reviewed existing research on tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) and found they're spreading throughout soil, rivers, and oceans, where animals eat them and pass them up the food chain. These plastic particles cause stress and health problems in wildlife, but researchers still don't fully understand the long-term effects or how much exposure is dangerous. This matters because these same plastic particles can end up in our food and water, but we need better research methods to understand the real risks to human health.
Unveiling the complex impact of microplastics on environmental health, ecosystems, and humans
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This comprehensive review consolidates current knowledge on microplastic pollution across marine, freshwater, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments. Researchers examined sources, transport pathways, impacts on living organisms, sampling techniques, and regulatory challenges, highlighting significant gaps in understanding the full scope of microplastic effects on ecosystems and human well-being.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.