Microplastics influencing aquatic environment and human health: A review of source, determination, distribution, removal, degradation, management strategy and future perspective
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Date
2025
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Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are produced from various primary and secondary sources and pose multifaceted environ
mental problems. They are of non-biodegradable nature and may stay in aquatic environments for a long time
period. The present review has covered novel aspects pertaining to MPs that were not covered in earlier studies.
It has been observed that several methods are being employed for samples collection, extraction and identifi
cation of MPs and polymer types using various equipment, chemicals and instrumental techniques. Aquatic
species mistakenly ingest MPs, considering them prey and through food-chain, and then suffer from various
metabolic disorders. The consumption of seafood and fish may consequently cause health implications in
humans. Certain plasticizers are added during manufacturing to provide colour, durability, flexibility, and
strength to plastics, but they leach out during usage, storage, and transport, as well as after entering the bodies of
aquatic species and human beings. The leached chemicals (bisphenol-A, triclosan, phthalates, etc.) act as
endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which effect on homeostasis; thereby causing neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity,
reproductive problems, adverse behaviour and autism. Negative influence of MPs on carbon sequestration po
tential of water bodies is also observed, however more studies are required to understand it with a detail
mechanism under natural conditions. The wastewater treatment plants are found to remove a large amount of
MPs, but in turn, also act as significant sources of their release in sludge and effluents. Further, it is covered that
how advanced oxidation processes, thermal- and photo-oxidation, fungi, algae and microbes degrade the plastics
and increase their numbers in the surrounding environment. The management strategy comprising recovery of
energy and other valuable by-products from plastic wastes, recycling and regulatory framework; are also