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Published on: November 7, 2025
Microplastics in constructed wetland ecological systems: Behavior, fate and environmental risks
Xinwen Zhang1, Le Lu1, Guoqing Fang1
1School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China.
Water Research
|June 6, 2026
Summary
Constructed wetlands (CWs) effectively remove over 90% of microplastics (MPs), but these contaminants trigger ecological risks by altering microbial communities and greenhouse gas emissions. Further research is needed for sustainable MP management in CWs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Wetland Ecology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive aquatic contaminants posing significant risks to constructed wetlands (CWs).
- Understanding the behavior, fate, and ecological impact of MPs in CWs is crucial for environmental management.
- CWs are increasingly recognized as critical ecosystems affected by MP pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize the behavior, fate, and ecological risks of MPs in CWs.
- To critically evaluate the roles of various components within CWs in MP retention and transformation.
- To identify current challenges and propose future research directions for MP management in CWs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines.
- Screening of over 405 peer-reviewed publications (2019-2025) from major scientific databases.
- In-depth synthesis and comparative analysis of 131 selected key studies.
Main Results:
- CWs achieve >90% MP removal efficiency, acting as physical barriers and biogeochemical reactors.
- MPs undergo aging, transformation, and biofilm colonization in CWs, leading to complex ecological risks.
- MP exposure alters microbial diversity, inhibits nitrogen removal, and increases greenhouse gas emissions (CH4, N2O).
Conclusions:
- CWs effectively remove MPs but face challenges related to MP aging, additive release, and pollutant adsorption.
- MP presence significantly impacts CW ecological functions, including microbial communities and nutrient cycling.
- Standardized MP extraction methods and a deeper understanding of MP-induced clogging are needed for sustainable CW management.
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