Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
Department of Agriculture, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Aug;30(37):86632-86655. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-28513-w. Epub 2023 Jul 12.
The pollution of microplastics (MPs) is a worldwide major concern, as they have become a major part of our food chain. MPs enter our ecosystem via different pathways, including anthropogenic activities and improper disposal of plastics. The aim of this article is to review the current scientific literature related to MPs and how they affect different life forms on earth. Briefly, MPs induced negative effects on humans are primarily linked with the oxidative stress and disruption in immunity. MPs not only affect the soil chemical and physical properties such as reduction in soil health and productivity but also impose harmful effects on soil microorganisms. Moreover, MP-induced plant growth reduction results from three complementary mechanisms: (i) reduction in root and shoot growth, (ii) reduction in photosynthesis accompanied by higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and (iii) reduction in nutrient uptake via altered root growth. Given the negative effects of MPs on different life forms, it is important to remove or remediate them. We have discussed different MP removal methods including coagulation, membrane filtration technology, biochar, and biological degradation of MPs in soil and wastewater effluents. The use of ozone as ultrafiltration technique has also been shown as the most promising technique for MP removal. Finally, some future research recommendations are also put forward at the end to further enhance our understanding of the MPs induced negative effects on different life forms. The flowchart shows the interaction of MPs from water contaminated with MPs with different parts of the ecosystem and final interaction with human health.
微塑料（MPs）的污染是一个全球性的主要问题，因为它们已经成为我们食物链的主要组成部分。MPs 通过不同的途径进入我们的生态系统，包括人为活动和塑料的不当处理。本文的目的是回顾与 MPs 相关的当前科学文献，以及它们如何影响地球上的不同生命形式。简而言之，MPs 对人类的负面影响主要与氧化应激和免疫紊乱有关。MPs 不仅影响土壤的化学和物理性质，如降低土壤健康和生产力，而且对土壤微生物也有有害影响。此外，MP 诱导的植物生长减少是由三种互补机制引起的：（i）根和芽生长减少，（ii）光合作用减少，同时伴随着更高的活性氧（ROS）产生，以及（iii）通过改变根生长减少养分吸收。鉴于 MPs 对不同生命形式的负面影响，去除或修复它们非常重要。我们讨论了不同的 MPs 去除方法，包括凝聚、膜过滤技术、生物炭和土壤和废水处理中的 MPs 生物降解。臭氧作为超滤技术的应用也被证明是去除 MPs 的最有前途的技术。最后，还提出了一些未来的研究建议，以进一步增强我们对 MPs 对不同生命形式的负面影响的理解。流程图显示了受 MPs 污染的水中的 MPs 与生态系统的不同部分的相互作用，以及与人类健康的最终相互作用。
