Microplastics in ecosystems: Critical review of occurrence, distribution, toxicity, fate, transport, and advances in experimental and computational studies in surface and subsurface water

Microplastics (MPs), particles under 5 mm, pervade water, soil, sediment, and air due to increased plastic production and improper disposal, posing global environmental and health risks. Examining their distribution, quantities, fate, and transport is crucial for effective management. Several studies have explored MPs' sources, distribution, transport, and biological impacts, primarily focusing on the marine environment. However, there is a need for a comprehensive review of all environmental systems together for enhanced pollution control. This review critically examines the occurrence, distribution, fate, and transport of MPs in the following environments: freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. The concentration of MPs is highly variable in the environment, ranging from negligible to significant amounts (0.003–519.223 items/liter in water and 0–18,000 items/kg dry weight sediment, respectively). Predominantly, these MPs manifest as fibers and fragments, with primary polymer types including polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. A complex interplay of natural and anthropogenic actions, including wastewater treatment plant discharges, precipitation, stormwater runoff, inadequate plastic waste management, and biosolid applications, influences MPs’ presence and distribution. Our critical synthesis of existing literature underscores the significance of factors such as wind, water flow rates, settling velocities, wave characteristics, plastic morphology, density, and size in determining MPs' transport dynamics in surface and subsurface waters. Furthermore, this review identifies research gaps, both in experimental and simulation, and outlines pivotal avenues for future exploration in the realm of MPs. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd