Abstract
Microplastic contamination of lakes and rivers is an emerging environmental issue. Sources, environmental fate, in-situ behaviour, concentration and harmful impacts of microplastics on aquatic life are the focus of this review paper. Present review summarises the current state of information about microplastics in riverine ecosystems around the world. The tiny plastic particles can serve as substrate as well as transporters of a variety of toxicants, including recalcitrant chemical compounds from miscellaneous sources having potential to seriously harm people's health. Further, intake and entanglement of microplastics can inflict a number of adverse bio-physico-chemical impacts on people and other living creatures. Secondary microplastics are produced by the disintegration of bigger size primary plastic particles and ultimately end up in the terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Comprehensive information on microplastic pollution in fresh water ecosystems is still limited on a single platform. This review critically addresses the microplastic pollution in rivers, sources, and its impact around the world. Further, possible replacements for plastics like modified starch, cellulose, esters of cellulose, polylactic acid etc. derived from biomass and microorganisms are also examined.
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Authors are thankful to Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi, Govt. of India for providing financial support (Project: No. EEQ/2021/001146) for this work.
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Bhan, C., Kumar, N. & Elangovan, V. Microplastics pollution in the rivers, its source, and impact on aquatic life: a review. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05846-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05846-8