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Microplastics in sediments: A review of techniques, occurrence and effects
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This review examined techniques, occurrence data, and ecological effects of microplastics in sediments, synthesizing evidence that sediments act as a major long-term repository for microplastic contamination in both freshwater and marine systems.
Microplastics are omnipresent in the marine environment and sediments are hypothesized to be major sinks of these plastics. Here, over 100 articles spanning the last 50 year are reviewed with following objectives: (i) to evaluate current microplastic extraction techniques, (ii) to discuss the occurrence and worldwide distribution of microplastics in sediments, and (iii) to make a comprehensive assessment of the possible adverse effects of this type of pollution to marine organisms. Based on this review we propose future research needs and conclude that there is a clear need for a standardized techniques, unified reporting units and more realistic effect assessments.
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Microplastics in freshwater sediment: A review on methods, occurrence, and sources
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This review synthesizes methods, occurrence data, and sources of microplastics in freshwater sediments, comparing approaches and providing recommendations for standardized sampling and analysis to fill knowledge gaps relative to marine research.
Microplastic Contamination in Freshwater Environments: A Review, Focusing on Interactions with Sediments and Benthic Organisms
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This review focuses on microplastic contamination in freshwater sediments and the interactions between microplastics, sediment particles, and benthic organisms, synthesizing evidence on how sediment properties influence microplastic accumulation and how benthic fauna are exposed and affected.
A Review of Microplastics in Aquatic Sediments: Occurrence, Fate, Transport, and Ecological Impact
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics accumulate in aquatic sediments — particularly the ocean floor — finding that sediments act as a long-term sink where plastics alter microbial communities and harm bottom-dwelling organisms, meaning the ecological damage of plastic pollution extends far beyond what is visible at the water surface.
Research Progress on Sources and EcologicalEffects of Microplastics in Sediments
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This review synthesizes research on the sources and ecological effects of microplastics in sediments, tracing transport pathways from terrestrial runoff through freshwater systems to marine sediment sinks and documenting impacts on benthic organisms and ecosystem function. Sediments serve as long-term reservoirs of microplastic pollution, making sediment ecology a critical lens for understanding cumulative environmental burden and food chain exposure risks posed by plastic debris.
A Global Perspective on Microplastic Occurrence in Sediments and Water with a Special Focus on Sources, Analytical Techniques, Health Risks, and Remediation Technologies
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This global review covers microplastic sources, distribution in water and sediment, analytical detection methods, health risks, and cleanup technologies. The authors highlight that microplastics absorb toxic chemicals from their surroundings and can transfer those pollutants to organisms that ingest them. The review calls for standardized detection methods and more research on the long-term health effects of microplastic exposure in humans.
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.