Mapping global microplastic pollution: Integrating advanced detection and monitoring in aquatic ecosystems

Microplastics (MPs) have become pervasive contaminants in aquatic environments, posing significant ecotoxicological hazards to both ecosystem and human. Although MPs also permeate air and terrestrial media, cross-compartment dynamics are often overlooked, leading to fragmented mitigation approaches. This review analyses recent finding on the distribution, fate, and toxicity of MPs in marine, estuarine, river, and lake systems, illuminating how their small size and variable morphologies heighten their capacity to adsorb pollutants such as heavy metals and organic contaminants. Inadequate plastic waste disposal methods further exacerbate the escalating release of MPs into aquatic habitats. To delineate critical knowledge gaps, we evaluate state-of-the-art detection techniques ranging from spectroscopy, holography, and remote sensing to microscopy and chromatography, highlighting their respective advantages and current limitations. We further explored the influence of polymeric composition on MP toxicity and discusses their detrimental effects on aquatic biota. By integrating perspectives from various case studies, this review underscores the interconnectedness of aquatic media and underscores the need for standardized methodologies to accurately characterize MPs across spatial scales. Our analysis reveals an urgent demand for multidisciplinary strategies, encompassing advanced monitoring, improved waste management, and ecologically sound remediation approaches. Such measures are essential to curtail the ecological and public health risks associated with MPs. Overall, this review provides an in-depth assessment of MPs pollution in aquatic systems and offers a roadmap for future research, fostering effective policies and technological innovations aimed at safeguarding these vital water resources from MPs contamination.