Microplastic Pollution and Monitoring in Seawater and Harbor Environments: A Meta-Analysis and Review

Abstract

Due to its widespread occurrence in practically all environmental sectors, including the terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric, microplastics (MP) have transitioned from an emerging pollutant to a chronic contaminant. Studies on the prevalence and hazardous effects on marine creatures have been conducted all over the world, but only in coastal environments. Microplastic pollution has emerged as a global concern in marine environments and a danger to animals, predators, and humans because it has been discovered in the marine environment all over the world. This review examines the quantity of MP samples around the world and their colonization by marine microorganisms, as well as the detection, features, origins, and ecological implications of paint fragments and resins in our oceans and ports. These polymers are derived from paints and the fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) matrix used in shipbuilding. Microplastics should be regarded as coming from synthetic polymers found in ship coatings. For assessing microplastic pollution, choosing an appropriate sample technique is essential. Additionally, this review offers an overview of MP investigation methods, concentrating on sampling techniques, laboratory procedures, and the identification of MPs found in seawater, as well as assessing how well they apply to the seaport environment. Because of the widespread discovery of MP pollution, particularly in Africa, Asia, India, South Africa, North America, and Europe, it is clear that monitoring is crucial for determining the efficacy of mitigation efforts to limit the quantity of waste plastic entering the environment, especially through sensors and real-time information transfer systems (e.g., smart digital seawater monitoring).

Recent advances in the relationships between biofilms and microplastics in natural environments

“…Additionally, fibers from synthetic textiles released through washing machine wastewater and MPs from tires and road markings are significant sources of these pollutants (Napper and Thompson 2016 ; Järlskog et al 2022 ). Other activities associated with the introduction of MPs into aquatic environments include fishing, aquaculture, shipping, and tourist attractions (Ryan et al 2019 ; Chen et al 2021 ; Belioka and Achilias 2023 ). MPs pollution can also be the outcome of certain agricultural practices, including the employment of plastic mulches, plastic-coated seeds, and fertilizers (Steinmetz et al 2016 ; Katsumi et al 2021 ; Wang et al 2024b ).…”

High-resolution characterization technology for micro-/nano-plastics

“…Some other reviews report the detection of the MP pollution in various environmental matrices but they only discuss specific geographic regions, such as the Mediterranean region [20], the ASEAN region [21], and the east coast of India [22]. They may also concentrate on specific environmental matrices like soil [23], seawater [24], sediments [25], or focusing on one specific program [26]. Additionally, in recent years, some innovative technologies for MP characterization, distinct from traditional principles, have also emerged.…”

How plastic waste management affects the accumulation of microplastics in waters: a review for transport mechanisms and routes of microplastics in aquatic environments and a timeline for their fate and occurrence (past, present, and future)

“…Plastics are currently a great material that is employed in many aspects of daily life, as they are utilized in nearly every industry, including packaging, vehicle, aquaculture, fisheries, biomedical, shipping, agriculture, building and construction, telecommunications, furniture, transportation, textiles, apparel, and personal care items. Because of their low weight, elasticity, resilience, flexibility, low cost, long-term persistence, corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and water-resistant qualities, plastics have supplanted more traditional materials such as glass and metals [1][2][3] .…”