Microplastic's story.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecotoxicology
• Marine Biology

Background:

• Microplastic pollution is a pervasive global issue impacting environmental and organismal health.
• Marine litter, particularly microplastics, presents complex challenges in understanding its full scope and effects.
• Existing research highlights the urgent need for comprehensive data on microplastic sources, fate, and impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review the historical context of microplastic pollution.
• To identify and delineate unresolved scientific questions regarding microplastics.
• To consolidate knowledge on the definition, classification, and characterization of micro and macro plastics in marine environments.

Main Methods:

• Extensive bibliographic collection and critical literature review.
• Global-scale review of marine litter distribution and characteristics.
• Analysis of microplastic and macroplastic definition, classification, and characterization techniques.

Main Results:

• The study provides a historical perspective on microplastic research.
• Key unresolved issues in microplastic science are highlighted.
• Current techniques for defining, classifying, and characterizing micro and macro plastics are assessed.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of microplastic history is crucial for addressing current challenges.
• Further research is needed to resolve outstanding questions in microplastic science.
• Standardized methodologies for microplastic characterization are essential for global comparability.