0
Article Tier 2 Detection Methods Environmental Sources Human Health Effects Policy & Risk Remediation Sign in to save

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Microplastic Pollution Studies and Management

Recent Progress in Science and Engineering 2025 2 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

This review explores how artificial intelligence is transforming microplastic research, from automating detection in microscopy images and spectral analysis to predicting how plastics interact with pollutants and living organisms. AI-powered sensors and real-time monitoring systems are also being integrated into wastewater treatment to reduce microplastic release, making the technology a powerful tool for both understanding and managing plastic pollution.

Study Type Environmental

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping microplastic research by enabling faster, more accurate, and scalable detection, characterization, and modeling. Deep learning automates the identification and classification of microplastics from microscopy images, while machine learning accelerates the recognition of polymers from Raman and infrared spectra. AI-based clustering and segmentation improve the analysis of complex samples, and source-apportionment models learn morphological and chemical features to trace emissions from various activities and land uses. AI also enhances predictions of microplastic interactions and impacts, modeling pollutant adsorption, leaching behaviors, and biological toxicity responses. Large language models are increasingly used to streamline quality assurance/control (QA/QC) and support exposure and risk assessments. Emerging AI-enabled sensors and real-time control systems can be integrated into manufacturing and wastewater treatment processes, enabling continuous monitoring and adaptive process adjustments to reduce microplastic release. Collectively, AI provides powerful tools for advancing microplastic detection, understanding their ecological and health risks, and supporting proactive pollution mitigation.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Artificial intelligence in microplastic detection and pollution control

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examines how artificial intelligence is being combined with spectroscopy and imaging techniques to dramatically improve the speed and accuracy of microplastic detection in the environment. Better detection methods are essential for tracking the sources and spread of microplastic pollution that ultimately affects human health through contaminated food and water.

Article Tier 2

Advancing microplastic pollution management in aquatic environments through artificial intelligence

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examines how artificial intelligence and robotics are being applied to tackle microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, covering waste collection, particle identification, and degradation monitoring. Researchers highlight several successful AI-driven projects deployed by countries and organizations around the world. The study suggests that integrating AI with traditional environmental methods holds significant promise for improving both the speed and accuracy of microplastic management.

Article Tier 2

AI‐Driven Technologies in Mitigation of Microplastic Pollution

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers reviewed how AI-assisted detection methods address the accuracy, efficiency, and cost limitations of traditional microplastic identification, while also surveying how artificial intelligence is being applied to model and mitigate microplastic impacts on marine ecosystems and human health including metabolic and respiratory effects.

Article Tier 2

AI-assisted Microplastics Removal

AI summary Read the abstract

This review explored how artificial intelligence is being used to improve the detection and removal of microplastics from water and the environment. Researchers found that machine learning techniques can enhance the identification of microplastic particles and optimize treatment processes like filtration and coagulation. The study suggests that AI-driven approaches could overcome many of the efficiency and cost limitations of conventional microplastic removal methods.

Article Tier 2

Artificial intelligence for microplastic pollution monitoring, predictive modeling, and risk assessment: advances, challenges, and future perspectives

AI summary Read the abstract

This review paper explains how artificial intelligence is helping scientists detect, track, and analyze microplastics faster and more accurately than older lab methods allow. This matters because better detection tools could speed up efforts to understand how these tiny plastic particles spread through our environment, food, and bodies, ultimately supporting stronger health protections and cleanup strategies.

Research digests by email

When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.

Email me about

Share this paper