Microplastic Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Comprehensive Review of Environmental Impacts and Potential Solutions

Abstract Microplastics, defined as plastic particles that measure less than 5 mm, are currently pervasive contaminants in aquatic environments, attributed to the increasing global production of plastic and the environmental fragmentation of bigger plastic items. This thorough overview brings together what we know about microplastic sources, where they are found, how they affect the environment and health, how to study them, how to reduce them, and where future research should go. Microbeads and fibers from synthetic textiles are examples of primary microplastics. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, come from the breakdown of macroplastics through environmental weathering. Globally, and especially in India, microplastic pollution is a persistent problem in freshwater and marine habitats. This is due to things like wastewater treatment facilities, fishing, urban runoff, and incorrect disposal. The effects can be physical harm and changes in behavior in aquatic species, as well as the transfer of hazardous contaminants via the food chain, which threatens ecological stability and human health through seafood intake. Improvements in sampling and spectroscopic identification make it easier to find things, but they also have problems with standardization and contamination. Mitigation via upstream source reduction, enhanced waste management, biodegradable materials, regulatory frameworks, and public involvement demonstrates potential but necessitates scaling and enforcement. Some important areas of research that need more work are the long-term consequences of nanoplastics, the effects on the environment over time, and the need for standardization of analytical methods. To protect public health and aquatic biodiversity, we need to work together across disciplines and regions to deal with microplastic pollution.