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Microplastics: a review of their impacts on different life forms and their removal methods
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This review provides a broad overview of how microplastics affect different forms of life, from soil organisms and plants to aquatic species and humans. Researchers found that the primary harmful mechanisms involve oxidative stress, immune disruption, and interference with nutrient uptake and photosynthesis. The study also covers various removal methods including coagulation, membrane filtration, and biological degradation approaches.
The pollution of microplastics (MPs) is a worldwide major concern, as they have become a major part of our food chain. MPs enter our ecosystem via different pathways, including anthropogenic activities and improper disposal of plastics. The aim of this article is to review the current scientific literature related to MPs and how they affect different life forms on earth. Briefly, MPs induced negative effects on humans are primarily linked with the oxidative stress and disruption in immunity. MPs not only affect the soil chemical and physical properties such as reduction in soil health and productivity but also impose harmful effects on soil microorganisms. Moreover, MP-induced plant growth reduction results from three complementary mechanisms: (i) reduction in root and shoot growth, (ii) reduction in photosynthesis accompanied by higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and (iii) reduction in nutrient uptake via altered root growth. Given the negative effects of MPs on different life forms, it is important to remove or remediate them. We have discussed different MP removal methods including coagulation, membrane filtration technology, biochar, and biological degradation of MPs in soil and wastewater effluents. The use of ozone as ultrafiltration technique has also been shown as the most promising technique for MP removal. Finally, some future research recommendations are also put forward at the end to further enhance our understanding of the MPs induced negative effects on different life forms. The flowchart shows the interaction of MPs from water contaminated with MPs with different parts of the ecosystem and final interaction with human health.
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This review provides an overview of microplastic prevalence across different ecosystems and their potential effects on environmental and human health. The researchers discuss how microplastics enter water, soil, and food chains, and examine the various biological effects documented in organisms. They also review current remediation strategies being developed to address microplastic contamination.
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This review summarizes how microplastics cause toxic effects across water, soil, and air ecosystems by triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupting metabolic pathways in exposed organisms. The research highlights that while we know microplastics cause harm at the cellular level, there are still major gaps in understanding exactly how much exposure is dangerous for human health.
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This review summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles found in water, soil, and air, and how they affect plants, animals, and microorganisms. It also covers methods being developed to remove these particles from the environment, including filtering, chemical treatments, and recycling, while noting that removal methods are still being developed.
Systematic Assessment of Mechanisms, Developments, Innovative Solutions, and Future Perspectives of Microplastics and Ecotoxicity – A Review
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This comprehensive review summarizes current knowledge about how microplastics form, spread through the environment, and affect living organisms at every level of the food chain. It covers the toxic effects of microplastics on cells, organs, and whole organisms, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone disruption. The review also evaluates emerging methods for breaking down microplastics, concluding that a combination of prevention, cleanup, and policy changes is needed to address this growing health threat.
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