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Microplastics in the environment: Recent developments in characteristic, occurrence, identification and ecological risk
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This review provides a comprehensive overview of microplastic pollution across oceans, freshwater, soil, and the atmosphere, examining their sources, movement patterns, and ecological risks. Researchers found that while coastal environments have been well studied, much less is known about microplastic contamination in terrestrial ecosystems. The study synthesizes data on microplastic toxicity, bioaccumulation in organisms, and environmental fate to support better risk assessment.
Microplastics (MPs) are developing as persistent pollutants that are causing significant concern in terms of environmental health. A microplastic is a particle of plastic that is less than 5 mm in diameter, which has penetrated and harmed the environment. MPs have been the subject of numerous analyses, including several adverse assessments; however, most of these studies have focused on their presence in coastal environments. The current state of knowledge regarding the characteristics, occurrences, and potential impact of MPs in the terrestrial ecosystem is incomplete. The goal of this study is to undertake a thorough review of existing knowledge and scientific publications on MP occurrences in the environment, their fate and mobility, and their consequences, as well as to explore such discoveries. MPs have been elaborately discussed in this review in terms of their occurrences, features, and origins in the oceans, freshwater, sediments, soils, and the atmosphere, along with the data obtained from experiments and models on the fate and mobility of MPs in the environment. This paper also includes research data on the environmental toxicity, bioavailability, and bioaccumulation of MPs.
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Microplastics as Emerging Environmental Contaminants: Sources, Distribution and Ecological Implications
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This review examines the sources, environmental distribution, and ecological implications of microplastics, which are now found across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments worldwide. The study discusses how these persistent plastic fragments can enter food webs and highlights priorities for future monitoring, risk assessment, and pollution mitigation efforts.
Microplastics in Environmental Setting: A Review on Sources, Exposure Routes and Potential Toxicities on Human Health
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This review examines microplastics in environmental settings, synthesizing current knowledge on sources, distribution across terrestrial and aquatic compartments, fate processes, and ecological consequences. The authors identify priority research areas needed to address remaining uncertainties in microplastic risk assessment.
Microplastics as Environmental Pollutants: Biological and Health Consequences – A Comprehensive Review
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Researchers synthesized current knowledge on microplastic sources, environmental distribution, and biological effects across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems, documenting pathways by which both primary and secondary microplastics enter organisms and accumulate through food webs.
Research progresses and prospects of microplasticsin the environment
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This review summarised research progress on microplastic detection, sources, distribution, and transport across marine, freshwater, soil, atmospheric, and biological environments, as well as microplastics' role as vectors for co-contaminants. The authors discussed prospects for future research including standardised monitoring methods, ecological risk assessment, and policy implications for microplastic pollution management.
Microplastics: Current Status in the Environment and Human Health Risks: A Comprehensive Review
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This comprehensive review covers the sources, environmental distribution, food chain entry, and human health risks of microplastics, with particular attention to their role as vectors for chemical pollutants and pathogens. It highlights regulatory gaps and emerging mitigation approaches across terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric systems.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.