# A critical review of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: Degradation mechanisms and removing strategies

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how microplastics harm aquatic ecosystems and explores new methods to remove them, including biological and nano-based approaches.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of recent strategies for microplastic removal, emphasizing biological and nano-enabled technologies.

## Key findings

- Microplastics pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health.
- Combining physical and chemical pretreatments with microbial degradation shows promise for microplastic removal.
- Nano-enabled technologies demonstrate high efficiency in removing microplastics from water.

## Abstract

Plastic waste discarded into aquatic environments gradually degrades into smaller fragments, known as microplastics (MPs), which range in size from 0.05 to 5 mm. The ubiquity of MPs poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and, by extension, human health, as these particles are ingested by various marine organisms including zooplankton, crustaceans, and fish, eventually entering the human food chain. This contamination threatens the entire ecological balance, encompassing food safety and the health of aquatic systems. Consequently, developing effective MP removal technologies has emerged as a critical area of research. Here, we summarize the mechanisms and recently reported strategies for removing MPs from aquatic ecosystems. Strategies combining physical and chemical pretreatments with microbial degradation have shown promise in decomposing MPs. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and specific enzymes are being leveraged in MP remediation efforts. Recent advancements have focused on innovative methods such as membrane bioreactors, synthetic biology, organosilane-based techniques, biofilm-mediated remediation, and nanomaterial-enabled strategies, with nano-enabled technologies demonstrating substantial potential to enhance MP removal efficiency. This review aims to stimulate further innovation in effective MP removal methods, promoting environmental and social well-being.

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•The implications of microplastics (MPs) are critical to aquatic ecosystems.•Biological remediation is a potential approach for MP removal.•The ecotoxicity and transport of MPs are reviewed.•Advanced techniques for efficient MP removal are discussed.•Nano-enabled technology for MPs exhibits significantly high efficiency.

The implications of microplastics (MPs) are critical to aquatic ecosystems.

Biological remediation is a potential approach for MP removal.

The ecotoxicity and transport of MPs are reviewed.

Advanced techniques for efficient MP removal are discussed.

Nano-enabled technology for MPs exhibits significantly high efficiency.