Microplastics in the environment: analytical chemistry methods, sorption materials, risks and sustainable solutions

This Feature Article reports general and more specific aspects about microplastic (MP) contamination in continental and marine waters as well as in terrestrial environment. It describes a critical vision of the analytical methods commonly used for MP characterization and determination, including recommendations on green analytical chemistry (GAC) protocols. Insights into MPs as sorption materials and carriers for a variety of emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals and pesticides are highlighted. Risks to biota living in aquatic and terrestrial environments and human-health-related effects with specific examples of surface and groundwater used for drinking water sources near contaminated sites like landfills are summarized. Lastly, sustainable solutions for how to improve the analysis and comparison of MP detection at the global level is given, including the need for standardized analytical protocols as well as the performance of additional interlaboratory exercises. Additional recommendations include a global database on MP levels made available to all authors to better compare their data qualitatively with that previously published. Policy and remediation actions on how to reduce and mitigate MP pollution may include different types of actions like an improved waste management and reuse system, the development of bioplastics and new plastic materials, as well as legally binding additional funding to cope with increasing plastic pollution at the global scale.