From Origins to Impacts: A Comprehensive Review of Microplastics in Freshwater Environments

Abstract

Microplastics are plastic particles of dimensions less than 5mm, increasingly recognized as omnipresent contaminants in freshwater systems. These small particles are sourced from microbeads provided by personal care products, industrial abrasives, and other secondary sources formed by the degradation of larger plastic items. The microplastics are contaminated in freshwater environments through runoff, atmospheric deposition, and the discharge of water treatment processes. The presence of microplastics in freshwater has greater potential to cause harm to aquatic environments and human health. The primary objective of this paper is to identify the microplastic pollution in freshwater resources and classify the sources of this pollution in freshwater resources, including both primary and secondary microplastics, and to evaluate the ecological impact of microplastics and their potential health risks to humans through food chain transfer. This review synthesizes the most recent findings on sources, impacts, and potential mitigation measures of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems to emphasize the attentive work needed urgently in our efforts to conquer the environmental challenge. The mitigation strategies in practice thus focus on policy implementation and correct technology in wastewater treatment, raising public awareness to minimize the use of plastics and encourage good waste management. However, studies with much detail are still required to develop systematic methodologies for microplastic analysis and go far enough to find long-term solutions