Microplastics Across Ecosystems: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Sources, Sinks and Health Sustainable Solutions

Microplastic pollution is an emerging environmental concern in coastal ecosystems, particularly in developing regions. However, research remains compartmentalized, limiting an integrated understanding of microplastic distribution, transport dynamics, and ecological risks across interconnected environmental matrices. In this study, a multi-matrix assessment was conducted to evaluate microplastic abundance, characteristics, and associated ecological risks. A total of 93 microplastic particles were identified, with the mangrove site exhibiting the highest concentration (200 items/kg), while the seagrass bed and estuary showed the lowest concentration (3.33 items/kg). The dominant microplastic type was primarily fiber (55.91%), with most particles ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm, and polypropylene (66.67%) was the predominant polymer type, reflecting the widespread contribution from plastic packaging and fishing gear. Significant correlations were observed between microplastic abundance and contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI), whereas the polymer hazard index (PHI) showed no significant relationship due to its dependence on polymer composition. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed distinct distribution patterns of microplastic shape and polymer type across matrices. Overall, microplastic distribution across environmental matrices is driven by heterogeneous sources and transport pathways, with mangrove sediments enhancing retention, underscoring the need to elucidate seaward and landward source contribution and coastal fluxes. Full article

Microplastic (MP) contamination has become a defining feature of twenty-first century environmental change, yet the toxicological and ecological consequences for amphibians and reptiles—two vertebrate classes already facing severe extinction pressures—remain fragmented across taxa, regions, and methodological traditions. Here, we synthesize field and experimental evidence from five continents to provide a taxonomically balanced, mechanistically grounded, and geographically explicit assessment of MP exposure, bioaccumulation, and toxicity in herpetofauna, drawing on a structured literature search in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed (January 2015—March 2026). Field detection rates of MPs in amphibian larvae range from 26% in conservatively screened Central European populations to 73–80% in anuran tadpoles from high-anthropogenic-pressure Anatolian catchments, with fibrous polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) particles dominating the detected burden. Mechanistic evidence converges on oxidative stress cascades, hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis disruption, gut and cutaneous microbiome dysbiosis, and compromised antiviral and antifungal immunity, with the latter potentially amplifying vulnerability to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and to ranavirus. Among reptiles, sea turtles display near-universal MP ingestion with documented maternal transfer to eggs; freshwater turtles, terrestrial squamates, and crocodilians remain critically understudied. Three structural asymmetries constrain current ecotoxicological risk characterization: taxonomic bias toward anurans and sea turtles, geographic bias toward the Global North, and experimental bias toward acute, supra-environmental laboratory exposures using pristine, single-polymer particles that fail to capture the chemical complexity of weathered field mixtures. We argue that MP burden may warrant consideration as a candidate stressor criterion within IUCN Red List assessments and within environmental risk assessment frameworks for freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity once a robust quantitative relationship between MP burden and demographic decline or population-level fitness has been established, and propose six hypothesis-driven research priorities: methodological standardization, reptile toxicokinetics, transgenerational epigenetics, MP–pathogen microbiome interactions and their translation into population viability models, temperature × MP interaction under climate warming, and population-genetic consequences of contemporary MP-driven selection, as the most tractable avenues for ecotoxicological progress and for the development of herpetofauna-specific risk characterization frameworks. Full article

Microplastic pollution is a major environmental concern due to its persistence, global distribution, and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, analyzes research trends in microplastics with a focus on physicochemical characterization and removal technologies. A literature search was performed in Scopus and Web of Science (1972–2025) using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. After screening and duplicate removal, 89 studies were included in the final analysis. It is considered that with this dataset, it is possible to capture the main analytical and technological developments in the field. As a bibliometric-oriented study, no formal risk-of-bias assessment was conducted. However, a qualitative consideration of potential biases was undertaken, particularly regarding publication bias, database coverage limitations, and the predominance of English-language peer-reviewed studies. These aspects were considered when interpreting the results. The Methodi Ordinatio approach was then used to rank publications based on scientific relevance and citation impact. Results show the predominance of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy for microplastic characterization, while removal technologies remain heterogeneous and less standardized, with most approaches still at laboratory scale. Key gaps include the lack of standardized analytical protocols and limited integration between detection and remediation strategies. Overall, this review highlights critical research trends and supports the development of scalable solutions for microplastic pollution. Full article

The presence of microplastics (<5 mm) has become a major threat to marine ecosystems and the organisms inhabiting them. This issue affects a wide range of animals, including commercially important marine fish, whose ingestion of microplastics can cause mechanical and metabolic damage. This study aimed to characterize the main types of microplastic-like particles ingested by Centropomus viridis, Cynoscion othonopterus, Pomadasys macracanthus, Diapterus peruvianus, Lutjanus colorado, and Scomberomorus sierra, important commercial fish species in northwestern Mexico. Four sampling events were conducted over an annual cycle (November to August) in the lagoon and insular systems of Navachiste and Ohuira, Sinaloa, Mexico (RAMSAR sites 1826 and 2025). A total of 556 individuals were captured, and their stomach contents were analyzed using stereoscopic microscopy. Systematic sediment sampling was also performed at each capture site (El Coloradito, El Caracol, El Huitussi, El Aparecido, El Cerro Cabezón, Topolobampo, El Cerro Partido, and El Tortugo) by examining the upper 30 cm of sediment to ensure representativeness of the particle inventory. Four of the six analyzed species (C. viridis, C. othonopterus, P. macracanthus, and D. peruvianus) contained microplastic-like particles (MP-p), totaling 163 items, with an average ingestion rate of 0.29 items individual⁻¹. The omnivorous species D. peruvianus showed the highest ingestion (0.52 items individual⁻¹; 0.0029 items g⁻¹ wet weight). Five categories of MP-p were distinguished based on morphology and fluorescence; however, their polymeric identity cannot be confirmed without spectroscopic analyses. Sediment results showed that most microplastic-like fragments occurred at site 2025 during autumn, spring, and summer, while levels at site 1826 did not differ significantly. This study provides the first evidence of microplastic contamination in these fish species and in this region of northwestern Mexico. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental contaminants detected not only in water, soil, and air but also in human biological samples. To date, three main exposure routes have been identified. Currently, the principal exposure routes examined in scholarly works are oral, inhalational, and dermal. This paper explores iatrogenic microplastic exposure (IME) as an underrecognized healthcare-associated source of exposure and suggests that, in certain clinical contexts involving invasive, device-mediated, or direct systemic contact, IME may be considered a possible fourth route of exposure. IME is the introduction of microplastics into the human body through medical interventions. A literature-based conceptual review was conducted focusing on the materials and additives used in pharmaceutical formulations, intravenous systems, and medical devices. Particular attention was given to polymer-based excipients and plasticizers (e.g., phthalates, PEG, triacetin) found in enteric drug coatings and infusion packaging. Findings suggest that polymer-derived particles may enter systemic circulation via intravenous fluids, implantable devices, or oral medications, especially under conditions of heat, pressure, or prolonged contact. Such materials, though deemed biocompatible, may contribute to nanoplastic load and chronic exposure risks. Vulnerable groups such as neonates, oncology patients, and ICU populations may face disproportionate exposure. This calls for re-evaluation of plastic use in medical practice, improved regulatory oversight of pharmaceutical excipients, and innovation in plastic-free biomedical materials. Integrating this route into toxicological and epidemiological frameworks will enrich our understanding of microplastic-related health risks and broaden the scope of environmental health strategies. Full article

In recent years, microplastics (MPs) pollution in agricultural soils has increased markedly, largely due to the improper management of plastic mulch films used to improve crop growing conditions. In this context, the present study evaluated the use of biochar (BC) as a soil amendment for mulch-derived MPs-contaminated soils in a radish (Raphanus sativus L.) crop under greenhouse conditions. A pot experiment was established in soils contaminated with MPs (0.5% w/w) and amended with four BC rates (w/w): 0% (Control), 1% (BC1), 3% (BC3), and 5% (BC5). Soil physicochemical indicators were assessed, together with germination, leaf, and radish bulb growth parameters. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions until the radishes reached commercial maturity. Most of the soil’s physicochemical indicators, such as hydrogen potential (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), water holding capacity (WHC), total organic carbon (TOC), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium (N–NH₄⁺) and nitrates (N–NO₃⁻), showed significant differences between treatments (p < 0.05), with the exception of the carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N), which did not vary significantly (p ≥ 0.05). No significant differences were observed among treatments (p ≥ 0.05) for germination indicators. For leaf traits, dry biomass was significantly lower in BC1 than in the other treatments (p < 0.05). For radish bulb traits, fresh weight was significantly higher in BC3 (p < 0.05) compared with the other treatments. Similarly, total plant fresh weight showed significant differences among treatments, with BC3 exhibiting the highest value (p < 0.05). Overall, the BC3 treatment provided the greatest improvement in radish development in MPs-contaminated soil. However, further research involving different types of MPs, BCs, or other crop species is needed to more comprehensively assess the impact of BC on agricultural soils contaminated with MPs. Full article

The massive use of plastics has raised growing environmental concerns, including microplastic (MP) pollution. While most studies have focused on MPs in aquatic environments, research on airborne microplastics has gained increasing attention in recent years. This review discusses the sampling, analytical, and identification techniques used for MPs, with a particular focus on PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ fractions, which have been scarcely addressed in the literature. The main active and passive sampling methods, sample preparation protocols, MP quantification approaches, and chemical characterization techniques applied to airborne plastic particles are compiled. Attention is given to the influence of meteorological conditions on transport and deposition, as well as to the predominant sources of primary and secondary microplastics in both indoor and outdoor environments. The analysis identifies the main research challenges, particularly in the detection of microplastics and in the standardization of protocols. The review highlights the need for standardized methodologies to advance reliable quantification and to better understand the environmental implications of MPs. Full article