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Microplastics ubiquity in freshwater, marine and coastal environments in Malaysia: a critical review
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This review of existing research found that Malaysia's rivers and waterways are heavily polluted with microplastics—tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm that come from waste disposal, city runoff, and farming activities. This is concerning because about 97% of Malaysia's drinking water comes from these contaminated water sources, potentially exposing people to these plastic particles. The pollution levels vary widely, with some rivers containing over 4,000 plastic particles per liter of water.
Malaysia, as a developing country in Asia continues to be plagued with microplastics (MPs) pollution. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the MPs pollution in Malaysia within the freshwater, marine and coastal matrices. Specifically, 74 studies on MP conducted between 2014 and 2025 focusing on rivers, lakes, estuaries, mangroves, coastal environment and beaches are reviewed from the aspects of respective pollution source points and observed concentration ranges. Moreover, the interplay between these factors and their effect on the relative distinct predominant MP types is also comprehensively presented. Our analysis indicate that the Langat River exhibits the highest microplastic levels, ranging from 181 to 4,157 particles/L, primarily consisting of fragments and fibers, often less than 1 mm in size. Conversely, seawater is characterized by lower MP concentrations and sizes typically ranging from 1-5 mm. Major pollution sources include illicit waste disposal, urban runoff, and agricultural practices, raising public health concerns as ⁓97% of Malaysia's drinking water is sourced from these waterways. Recent research suggests a shift towards monitoring river basins rather than small, isolated sections as well as a bi-directional matrice (water and sediment) and seasonal variations in MP abundance analyses in order to ensure targeted pollution mitigation and support informed legislation. In the only metagenomic study, extensive microbial colonization, with over 37,613 genes present across polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid MPs was reported. Surface water characterization, bio-based materials integration as well as tyre-derived MPs are crucial future research directions that will foster a sustainable and circular bioeconomy in Malaysia. • The current status, emerging trends, and research gaps in microplastics studies in Malaysia were systematically reviewed. • The most frequently studied rivers in Malaysia include the Langat, Tebrau, Skudai, Semenyih, and Cherating rivers, as well as the Selangor River Basin. • Data remain scarce for several key aquatic environments, particularly estuaries, lakes, and small streams. • There is a clear need for research on the plastisphere and on chemical adsorption processes occurring on microplastics in aquatic systems. • Quantifying the contribution of land-based sources to aquatic microplastic pollution remains a research priority
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Microplastic proliferation in Malaysia’s waterways: bridging knowledge gaps for environmental health
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This review evaluates the state of microplastic pollution in Malaysia's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, identifying industrial activity, poor waste management, and weak enforcement as key drivers. Researchers found that fish consumption accounts for roughly half of human microplastic ingestion in the country. The study calls for stronger regulatory frameworks and better waste management to reduce the health risks from microplastic-contaminated waterways.
Microplastics in Malaysia's Aquatic Environment: Current Overview and Future Perspectives
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This review summarizes microplastic research across Malaysia's rivers, coastal waters, seafood, and sediments, finding widespread contamination in all aquatic environments studied. Fibers and fragments from everyday plastic products were the most common types found. The authors highlight that Malaysians face significant microplastic exposure through seafood consumption and call for better pollution monitoring and waste management policies.
Spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics and associations with river water physicochemical and hydrological parameters, including risk assessments in four tropical rivers in Sarawak, Malaysia
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Scientists tested river water in Malaysia and found tiny plastic particles (mostly fibers from things like clothing and packaging) in every single sample, with some rivers showing concerning pollution levels that ranked as "dangerous" by scientific risk measures. Since these rivers likely feed into water supplies people use, this matters because we're still learning how swallowing or absorbing these plastic fragments over time might affect our health.
First Evidence of Microplastic Ingestion by Riverine Fish From the Freshwater of Northwest Peninsular Malaysia
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Researchers found microplastics in the guts of multiple fish species from two rivers in northwest Malaysia, with some species averaging nearly 50 microplastic particles per gram of body weight. The dominant particles were fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene — findings that signal widespread contamination of freshwater food sources and raise concerns about human exposure through fish consumption.
Microplastic concentrations in river water and bed sediments in a tropical river: implications for water quality monitoring
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Researchers found that microplastic concentrations in a tropical Malaysian river averaged 3.12 particles/L in water and 6,027 particles/m² in bed sediments, with high within-site variability and poor correlation between water and sediment contamination levels, complicating monitoring strategies.
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.