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A Review of Processes and Models for the Export of Microplastics From Terrestrial to Aquatic Systems
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This review examines models and processes that control how microplastics move from land into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Understanding these transport pathways is essential for predicting where microplastics accumulate and developing strategies to stop them from reaching water sources. The research could help protect human health by informing better land management and waste reduction policies.
ABSTRACT Microplastics have received increased attention due to their negative impacts on the environment and human health. To minimize these impacts, mitigation strategies that are efficient and cost‐effective for a range of plausible conditions need to be developed. Models can be used to support these mitigation‐related decisions. However, modeling studies related to the export of microplastics from terrestrial to aquatic systems have been limited. Here, we review such modeling studies, the trends over time and geography of focus, and discuss pertinent concepts and the underlying physical, chemical, and biological processes. We categorize the published modeling studies, discuss their limitations, and provide recommendations for future research to fill key knowledge gaps. Future modeling efforts should focus on collecting more comprehensive field data for validation, developing continuous models over event‐based, conducting experimental studies to better understand the fundamental processes, developing hybrid modeling frameworks, adopting sediment transport modeling approaches, incorporating land management practices in the models, integrating surface and sub‐surface processes at the watershed scale, and utilizing advanced data‐driven models like foundation models.
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