Understanding microplastic pollution: Tracing the footprints and eco-friendly solutions

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecotoxicology
• Bioremediation

Background:

• Microplastic (MP) pollution (<5 mm particles) from primary (cosmetics) and secondary (degradation) sources is a critical global environmental issue.
• MPs contaminate diverse ecosystems (seas, rivers, air) and food chains, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.
• Understanding MP distribution and abundance necessitates effective detection and quantification methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the sources, environmental impacts, detection techniques, and biological remediation strategies for microplastics.
• To highlight the potential of biological systems for eco-friendly microplastic removal.
• To identify future research directions for microplastic pollution mitigation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on microplastic pollution.
• Analysis of detection techniques including microscopy and spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman).
• Evaluation of biological remediation approaches using algae, bacteria, and fungi.

Main Results:

• Microplastics originate from diverse sources and have been detected globally in various environmental matrices and food.
• Microscopic and spectroscopic methods are established for MP detection and quantification.
• Biological systems (algae, fungi, bacteria) demonstrate potential for adsorbing and degrading MPs in wastewater treatment.

Conclusions:

• Microplastic pollution presents significant ecological and health challenges.
• Biological remediation offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for microplastic removal.
• Further research and global collaboration are crucial for effective microplastic mitigation and environmental conservation.