Omnipresence of microplastics (<5mm) in our ecosystem has presented a worldwide concern for the threat it might present in the future. This review aims to highlight the toxic effect of microplastic on marine organisms, identify the research gaps in the microplastic identification techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, etc.) and remediation processes available (flocculation, membrane bioreactor, bioremediation, etc.) as well as throw light on the prospects to mitigate the microplastic pollution in the environment. The abundance of microplastics in the oceans and its subsequent ingestion causes false satiation leading to starvation, weakened immune system, reduced reproduction rate, and other toxic effects on marine organisms. Recent studies have also found the presence of microplastics in human bodies, without the true knowledge of its effects. Based on reviewed literature, combination of different analytical (identification) techniques are proven to be more useful in providing the detailed understanding of the microplastic sample in comparison to any one individual technique. Amongst all the available remediation techniques, bioremediation has shown the potency to be used as a sustainable, environment friendly, in-situ remediation process with engineered microbes/enzymes as the potent future of microplastic remediation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.