A Review of Recent Advances in Microplastic Research and ROVs to Aid the Development of an Integrated Solution for Microplastic Pollution

Microplastic pollution poses a critical threat to aquatic ecosystems, especially marine ecosystems along with freshwater ecosystems, as these infiltrate food chains and disrupt aquatic life. Despite ongoing efforts to mitigate this issue, the complexity of microplastic detection and filtration in underwater environments presents several challenges, including the limitations of current filtration technologies and the lack of efficient, low-cost identification systems. This review synthesizes recent research on key technologies and methodologies for addressing these challenges, including habitat monitoring with robotic systems, microplastic filtration using various principles, and underwater acoustic network synchronization to enhance data collection. Additionally, this study explores emerging techniques for optical detection of microplastics and methods for assessing microplastic distribution at varying depths. Gaps in the existing literature, particularly in the areas of biodegradation and realtime detection, are highlighted. By integrating findings from these diverse fields, this paper aims to serve as a starting point for a combined system that utilizes filtration techniques, deep-learning detection algorithms, and synchronized communication networks to improve the efficiency of microplastic identification and removal in aquatic environments.