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Examining the Presence of Microplastics in Wastewater
Summary
This systematic review analyzes over 5,000 studies on microplastics found in wastewater, covering research from 2000 to 2023. The analysis shows a rapid increase in research on detecting and removing microplastics from wastewater in recent years. Understanding how well our water treatment systems handle microplastics is important because treated wastewater can be a source of these particles entering our drinking water and food supply.
This bibliometric analysis provides an overview of the existing literature related to microplastics in wastewater. The study aims to identify the main research trends, authors, journals, and geographic regions involved in this field. The analysis is based on a systematic review of more than 5,000 scientific papers published between 2000 and 2023. The results show that research on microplastics in wastewater has been increasing rapidly in recent years, with a focus on both the detection and characterization of microplastics, as well as their effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. The study also identifies several research gaps, including the need for standardized methods for microplastic analysis and the need to investigate the potential sources of microplastics in wastewater. In the present study, by utilizing a bibliometric analysis, a rigorous quantitative approach to literature was carried out, ensuring scientific depth. It offers a comprehensive overview of sources, dissemination, and possible mitigation of microplastics in wastewater. This finding is pivotal for researchers and policymakers, as it identifies research gaps, potential innovations, and best practices.
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