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The issue of microplastic pollution has garnered significant attention from governments worldwide and the academic community. Numerous scholarly investigations and regulatory frameworks have been developed pertaining to microplastics. This article presents a comprehensive survey of the advancements made in the investigation and study of microplastics in the global marine ecosystem. It introduces the fundamental characteristics of microplastics, including definitions, classifications, and sources, as well as the patterns of distribution and migration observed in the marine environment. This study also presents the harmful effects of microplastics on marine animals and the resulting ecological impacts on marine systems. Additionally, it discusses worldwide strategies for managing microplastics in marine environments and explores potential avenues for future research in this field. Studies revealed that microplastics are mostly generated and released as a result of human activities. These microplastics tend to gather predominantly on the surface of the North Pacific and North Atlantic regions, which have the highest population density. Once marine species consume microplastics and other harmful pollutants transported by microplastics, these substances have the potential to be transferred down the biological food chain and ultimately enter the human body. Future studies of microplastics should prioritize the rapid characterization and quantification of microplastics in intricate samples, the biological interventions to influence the destiny of microplastics, and the examination of the interplay between microplastics and other contaminants. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the potential outcomes of microplastics and the associated factors and consequences at each stage.
Zihan Geng (Mon,) studied this question.