We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Global Trends in the Research Landscape and Development of Micro- and Nanoplastics.
AI summary Read the abstract
This review analyzed over 12,000 studies to map how microplastics research has evolved, from ocean pollution to concerns about human health. The field has shifted focus toward understanding how these tiny plastic particles affect our bodies at the molecular level, showing scientists are increasingly connecting environmental plastic pollution to real health risks for people.
Over the past two decades, the development trajectory of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) research has been complex, with scattered focuses. A systematic review of global research trends is essential to clarify historical developments, identify key hotspots, and highlight emerging frontiers. To this end, we employed a thematic progression strategy combined with co-citation and keyword clustering networks to systematically map research hotspots and trace global progress on MNPs over the past five decades. A total of 12,851 related publications were extracted. Overall, the development of MNPs research demonstrates significant phases, diversity, and complexity, covering multiple dimensions including sources, environmental distribution, toxicological effects, tracing mechanisms, and management strategies. The research trajectory of MNPs clearly reveals a full-chain research path, from source identification and migration-diffusion to environmental interaction behaviors, highlighting the multi-media coupling propagation mechanisms and the potential risks of complex ecological disruptions. Studies on the distribution of MNPs in environmental media have evolved from early marine pollution concerns to a more integrated research field that covers water-soil-air media, multi-scale, and multi-morphological pollution behaviors, exhibiting high interdisciplinary and evolutionary features. Research on the toxicological effects of MNPs has evolved from "ecological biological responses" to "molecular mechanism identification" and then to "human health risks," establishing a complete logical chain in toxicity understanding from macro to micro and from experimental studies to real-world exposure. These findings provide a foundation for understanding the environmental fate and multi-dimensional harm mechanisms of MNPs, offering references for institutions and researchers in future research directions.
More Papers Like This
Research tendency of microplastics and nanoplastics based on bibliometric analysis and perspective of the influence of human health
AI summary Read the abstract
This review uses bibliometric analysis of over 7,000 scientific publications from 2004 to 2021 to map global research trends in microplastics and nanoplastics, identifying key topics, leading research nations, and emerging areas of concern related to human health impacts.
Research Trends on The Presence of Microplastic Particles in The Environment and The Impact of Microplastics Around the World From 2010 - 2022: A Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
This literature review and bibliometric analysis maps global research trends on microplastic pollution and its environmental and health impacts from 2010 to 2022. Publication rates have increased dramatically over the period, with most research focused on marine and freshwater contamination. The study provides a useful overview of where microplastic science has grown and where gaps remain.
Global Evolution of Plastic Pollution Research (2015–2025): A Bibliometric and Thematic Assessment of Sustainability Challenges
AI summary Read the abstract
This study reviewed over 50,000 scientific papers on plastic pollution published from 2015 to 2025, showing research has surged, especially on microplastics and nanoplastics, tiny plastic fragments increasingly found in our environment, food, and bodies. This matters because it shows scientists are catching up on a health threat we're still working to fully understand, while pointing toward solutions like recycling systems and biodegradable materials.
Microplastics and human health: A scientometric analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a scientometric analysis of the scientific literature on microplastics and human health, mapping research trends and publication patterns. The study reveals a rapidly growing body of evidence exploring how ubiquitous microplastic contamination may affect human health, while identifying gaps in current research that need further investigation.
Current Trends, Spatio‐Temporal Dynamics of Microplastics Research and Global Public Health: A Scientometric Study
AI summary Read the abstract
This scientometric study analyzes trends in microplastic research and its connection to public health, finding a rapid increase in published studies over recent years. The analysis maps how the field has grown globally and identifies key research themes connecting microplastics to human health concerns. The increasing volume of research reflects growing scientific recognition that microplastics are a significant public health issue.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.