Presence of Microplastics and Organic Pollutants in Bangladesh's Freshwater Environment: A Review

Abstract

Water pollution is an alarming concern in developing nations like Bangladesh, where the majority of people rely on water resources both directly and indirectly. Microplastics (MP) and organic pollutants (OP) have a synergistic effect on the aquatic ecosystem due to the bioaccumulation process. This review determines the most influential aspects of MP and organic pollutants on freshwater environments, which serve as sites of accumulation and habitat for biota, which are important components of food webs and play a critical role in resource management, but are still underplayed. Debris in the environment and improper waste management have harmed ecosystems all over the world. Because MP plays the role of a vector for carrying organic pollutants towards the aquatic environment. These pose a global danger due to their extensive distribution in aquatic habitats and the possible consequences of their ecotoxicological impacts. The study is based on a global critical evaluation of current literature that included 40 research articles, as well as 24 global viewpoints and 16 Bangladesh perspectives (freshwater 2, marine 8, review 4, and other 2 papers). The result showed that very few research has been conducted in Bangladesh and there is no different from the rest of the world. However, there has been a tiny but continuous effort to quantify the amount of MP and OP’s garbage and its repercussions. It has been observed that a high amount of old plastic and organic pollutants is mistreated in Bangladesh, posing a serious environmental and human health risk. Empirical research have been conducted to determine the presence and effects of MPs and OPs in the marine environment. However, the study's aim is to inspire researchers to conduct in-depth investigations into plastic pollution along with organic pollutants in freshwater system in Bangladesh.