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Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: Occurrence and Removal
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Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: Occurrence and Removal

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Quality and Contamination".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 April 2026 | Viewed by 3811

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lixin Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
Interests: plastic; microplastic; photodegradation; dissolved organic carbon; biogeochemisty; photochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a critical environmental issue, posing potential risks to aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Despite growing research efforts, knowledge gaps remain regarding the sources, transport, transformation, and ultimate fate of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Additionally, the effectiveness of existing removal technologies and the development of innovative strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution in aquatic environments require further exploration.

This Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of microplastic occurrence, behavior, and removal techniques in various aquatic environmental compartments, such as freshwater, rivers, estuaries, coasts, and oceans. We welcome original research and review articles on topics such as advanced microplastic detection and quantification, environmental fate and impacts, removal technologies, biodegradation potential, and policy implications. Contributions addressing interdisciplinary approaches and novel solutions for aquatic microplastic pollution management are highly encouraged.

Dr. Lixin Zhu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • microplastic pollution
  • environmental fate
  • removal technologies
  • wastewater treatment
  • biodegradation
  • risk assessment
  • mitigation strategies
  • plastic waste management
  • polymer degradation
  • policy and regulation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 3358 KB  
Article
First Evidence of Mesoplastic Pollution in Beach Sediments of the Moroccan Mediterranean Coast
by Soria Azaaouaj, Noureddine Er-Ramy, Driss Nachite and Giorgio Anfuso
Water 2025, 17(22), 3258; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17223258 - 14 Nov 2025
Viewed by 533
Abstract
The problem of marine plastic pollution is multifaceted and poses a serious threat to the ecosystem and human health. This work is the first investigation of mesoplastics (MEPs, 5 mm–2.5 cm) along the most representative beaches of the whole Mediterranean coast of Morocco. [...] Read more.
The problem of marine plastic pollution is multifaceted and poses a serious threat to the ecosystem and human health. This work is the first investigation of mesoplastics (MEPs, 5 mm–2.5 cm) along the most representative beaches of the whole Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Surface sediment samples (0–5 cm), with 3 replicates each, were collected from thirty-three beaches to identify mesoplastic item characteristics (concentration, weight, type, size, color, and nature). The samples were collected between October and November 2021 and a total of 1998 mesoplastics (59.99 g kg−1) were collected from the thirty-three beaches studied. The average concentrations ranged from 20.18 ± 13.93 MEP kg−1 to 0.61 ± 0.61 g kg−1, showing a great variability within each beach and between the beaches investigated. Mesoplastic fragments accounted for 43.92% of the total mesoplastic items, showed sizes from 5 to 10 mm (56.64%) and were predominantly white/transparent (43.36%). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were the most common polymers. The present results revealed a moderate level of mesoplastics pollution along the beaches investigated. Fishing, coastal activities, and wastewater discharges were probably the main sources. Furthermore, this study is likely to serve as a scientific baseline for monitoring and tracking mesoplastic pollution on Moroccan beaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: Occurrence and Removal)
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Review

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22 pages, 2521 KB  
Review
Microplastic Removal by Flotation: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Research Trends
by Theerayut Phengsaart, Palot Srichonphaisarn, Mylah Villacorte-Tabelin, Marthias Silwamba, Dao Janjaroen, Carlito Baltazar Tabelin, Dennis Alonzo, Anh Tuan Ta and Onchanok Juntarasakul
Water 2025, 17(23), 3394; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17233394 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 619
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a global concern due to its persistence, ubiquity, and potential ecological and health risks. Although various MP separation techniques exist, flotation has gained attention as a promising approach adapted from mineral processing. This study provides a systematic review, bibliometric [...] Read more.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a global concern due to its persistence, ubiquity, and potential ecological and health risks. Although various MP separation techniques exist, flotation has gained attention as a promising approach adapted from mineral processing. This study provides a systematic review, bibliometric analysis, and meta-analysis of MP removal using flotation, covering 31 papers published between 2015 and 2024. Research output has grown rapidly since 2020, with China (including Hong Kong) as the leading contributor with strong international collaborations. Bibliometric mapping highlighted hotspots such as polymer type, particle size, contact angle, and nanobubbles. Meta-analysis showed that flotation achieved high removal efficiencies across water and solid matrices, though performance varies with polymer properties, surfactants used, and experimental design. Studies focused on solid particles remain limited, reflecting greater methodological challenges than in water systems. Critical discussion emphasized the need for standardized protocols, scaling from laboratory to field applications, and integration with wastewater treatment. This review identified knowledge gaps and emerging trends that can inform the future development of flotation as an effective technology for mitigating MP pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: Occurrence and Removal)
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19 pages, 1868 KB  
Review
Drinking Water Network as a Potential Pathway for Micro- and Nanoplastics Exposure to Human: A Mini Review
by Yecang Chen, Yi Wang, Bo Hu and Lei Su
Water 2025, 17(8), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081188 - 15 Apr 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2319
Abstract
The risk of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) has received increasing attention in recent years. Consumption of drinking water is a significant route of exposure to MNPs. While previous studies focus on MNPs in treated wastewater or final effluent, research addressing [...] Read more.
The risk of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) has received increasing attention in recent years. Consumption of drinking water is a significant route of exposure to MNPs. While previous studies focus on MNPs in treated wastewater or final effluent, research addressing drinking water networks (DWNs) as potential secondary sources of MNPs remains sparse. However, how DWN, a critical component transporting water from treatment plants to consumers, contributes to secondary contamination remains underexplored in existing studies. We extracted keywords from reviewed literature using bibliometric methods and conducted correlation analyses, revealing four research clusters: baseline detection, health assessments, nanoplastic, and treatment. The abundance of MNPs in DWN ranged from 0.01 to 1.4 items/L. The abundance varied between 679.5 and 4.5 × 107 items/kg when calculated based on sample mass (in scales or debris). Based on the shape and polymer composition of MNPs, the DWN is strongly suspected to contribute to the secondary contamination of MNPs in tap water. We also reviewed the main mechanisms for the formation and release of MNPs in pipelines, including mechanical forces, water hammer effects, and chemical aging. Our review highlighted the current gaps in the research on potential MNP contamination in the DWN. It will contribute to understanding the contribution of the DWN to MNP contamination and provide a framework for future monitoring and research efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: Occurrence and Removal)
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