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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Nanoplastics Policy & Risk Sign in to save

Micro- and nanoplastic pollution in urban influenced aquatic environments: Sources, pathways, and remediation strategies

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2025 4 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 48 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Ali Rıza Köşker, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Martín C. M. Blettler, Martín C. M. Blettler, Martín C. M. Blettler, Martín C. M. Blettler, Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Ceyhun Akarsu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Ali Rıza Köşker, Martín C. M. Blettler, Ceyhun Akarsu, Burak Aydoğan, Sedat Gündoğdu, Ali Rıza Köşker, Ali Rıza Köşker, Martín C. M. Blettler, Ceyhun Akarsu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Martín C. M. Blettler, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Sedat Gündoğdu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Ali Rıza Köşker, Luca Gallitelli Sedat Gündoğdu, Luca Gallitelli Ali Rıza Köşker, Luca Gallitelli Ceyhun Akarsu, Luca Gallitelli Luca Gallitelli Burak Aydoğan, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Martín C. M. Blettler, Ferhat Büyükdeveci, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Berna Aydoğan, Burak Aydoğan, Luca Gallitelli Berna Aydoğan, Martín C. M. Blettler, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Burak Aydoğan, Ferhat Büyükdeveci, Ferhat Büyükdeveci, Ferhat Büyükdeveci, Ferhat Büyükdeveci, Martín C. M. Blettler, Luca Gallitelli Sedat Gündoğdu, Ferhat Büyükdeveci, Martín C. M. Blettler, Ferhat Büyükdeveci, Ferhat Büyükdeveci, Martín C. M. Blettler, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Martín C. M. Blettler, Sedat Gündoğdu, Dušanka Cvijanović, Sedat Gündoğdu, Sedat Gündoğdu, Ceyhun Akarsu, Cristina Despina, Luca Gallitelli Sedat Gündoğdu, Martín C. M. Blettler, Luca Gallitelli

Summary

This review examines the sources, transport pathways, and environmental fate of microplastics and nanoplastics in urban aquatic environments, finding that wastewater treatment plants remove only 40–95% of microplastics with much lower efficiency for nanoplastics, making them a persistent source of aquatic contamination.

Study Type Environmental

Plastic pollution, particularly microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), is increasingly threatening urban aquatic environments. These particles (25-1000 μm) originate from diverse sources and exhibit complex environmental behavior depending on their physicochemical characteristics and interactions with organic matter. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), though designed to mitigate various contaminants, have demonstrated limited efficiency in removing micro and nanoplastics (MNPs), with effluent concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 180 × 10^6 MPs L and removal rates 40-95 % for MPs, and lower for NPs depending on the treatment process and particle properties. This inefficiency contributes to the persistent dissemination of MNPs into rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Moreover, ecotoxicological evidence, although limited, indicates oxidative stress and physiological impairments in fish, highlighting substantial knowledge gaps. To address these knowledge gaps, recent scientific efforts have focused on understanding the occurrence, sources, and behavior of MNPs across urban water systems, along with assessing the effectiveness of physical separation and chemical/biological degradation technologies. While methods such as coagulation, filtration, adsorption, and advanced oxidation processes show promise, each presents limitations in terms of operational cost, energy demand, and the potential generation of toxic by-products. Emerging strategies such as upcycling plastic waste and employing nature-based solutions (e.g., riparian vegetation restoration, constructed wetlands) offer complementary benefits but require further investigation and investment. This review critically summarizes current knowledge on the sources, fate, ecological impacts, and management strategies of MNPs in urban waters, identifies region-specific challenges and research gaps, and provides guidance for future monitoring, technological innovation, and policy interventions.

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