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An overview – Fate and analysis of marine microplastics with insights into microfluidics, biofilms, and future ecological threats.
Summary
This overview examines the fate and analysis of marine microplastics, with focus on microfluidic detection methods, plastisphere biofilm ecology, and future ecological threats from microplastic accumulation in ocean food webs. The authors highlight how microplastic surfaces concentrate toxic contaminants and host distinct microbial communities, amplifying both chemical and biological hazards in marine ecosystems.
Pollution associated with microplastics (MP) over time is becoming a genuine cause of concern because these micro-sized plastics possess the ability to accumulate toxic contaminants of diverse types. Their propensity to absorb or adsorb pollutants from the surroundings increases the toxicity of microplastics. Multiple root causes lead to the accumulation of microplastics in aqueous ecosystems, necessitating specialized techniques for investigating, handling, and disposing of them. This overview elaborates on the several modes of degradation of microplastics in aquatic systems. It further provides insights into the novel ‘Microfluidics’ technique for detecting microplastics in marine environments. Additionally, as a rising hope for the degradation of microplastics through biofilm formation, distinct types of bacteria found in marine habitats are discussed in this paper. Finally, this review elucidates the problems associated with microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems and explores methods for their safe disposal in the future