Microplastics in Water and Wastewater Systems: Sources, Impacts, Detection, and Treatment Technologies – A Review

The concept of microplastics as a persistent pollutant in water bodies is coming to reality and it can be brought to the global focus due to their widespread occurrence and potential environmental and health risks. These particles are largely defined as the pieces of plastic less than 5 mm long and of either source in primary manufacturing processes or in the disposal of larger plastic waste. It is a critical review of the current research on microplastics in fresh and marine ecosystems, wastewater systems, sources, occurrence, environmental, and health in specifics. Effects, mode of detection, fate, and treatment. It is dedicated to the issues that environmental engineers face when monitoring the impact of the microplastic pollution and minimizing it. Traditional and advanced techniques of analysis, including microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared. Fourier Transform Infrared. Raman spectroscopy and thermal methods and spectroscopy (FTIR) are critically discussed. Besides, the ability of the existing water and wastewater treatment technologies in the elimination of microplastics is also assessed. The important research gaps, limitations and research directions are pointed out to help to develop the effective mitigation measures and informed policy decisions.