Sumam S B, Gautam Sneha, Arulraj Prince
Division of Civil Engineering, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Water Institute, a Centre of Excellence, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Water Environ Res. 2025 Jul;97(7):e70132. doi: 10.1002/wer.70132.
During the last several decades, academic studies focused mainly on marine and surface water systems to understand Microplastics (MPs) as plastic particles that measure less than 5 mm. Recent studies indicate that MPs are infiltrating groundwater sources, serving as mankind's most crucial source of fresh water. This review investigates different natural and artificial paths by which MPs enter groundwater reserves through landfills, agricultural drainage, and water processing systems as well as old plastic distribution systems. The manuscript focuses on how MPs interact with subsurface environments while tracking their fundamental movement patterns and long-lasting presence that leads to water quality degradation and harms subsurface ecological systems and human wellness. This document highlights the urgent need for effective detection methods for MPs in groundwater, utilizing advanced spectroscopy techniques coupled with machine learning for identification. As global awareness of microplastic pollution rises, the lack of regulatory standards remains a significant challenge. The study stresses the importance of establishing standardized protocols and implementing policy interventions focused on sustainable groundwater management practices without delay. Future research is recommended to develop long-term monitoring systems and integrate high-resolution modeling along with ethical AI applications to address the escalating threats posed by MPs in groundwater environments. By identifying key research gaps, this study aims to guide advancements in sustainable and scalable microplastic identify cation and removal technologies, essential for mitigating their environmental and health implications.
在过去几十年里，学术研究主要集中在海洋和地表水系统，以了解微塑料（MPs）是指尺寸小于5毫米的塑料颗粒。最近的研究表明，微塑料正在渗入地下水源，而地下水源是人类最重要的淡水来源。本综述调查了微塑料通过垃圾填埋场、农业排水、水处理系统以及旧塑料分销系统进入地下水库的不同自然和人工途径。该手稿重点关注微塑料在追踪其基本运动模式和长期存在导致水质恶化并损害地下生态系统和人类健康时如何与地下环境相互作用。本文强调迫切需要有效的地下水微塑料检测方法，利用先进的光谱技术结合机器学习进行识别。随着全球对微塑料污染的认识提高，缺乏监管标准仍然是一个重大挑战。该研究强调了立即建立标准化协议并实施侧重于可持续地下水管理实践的政策干预措施的重要性。建议未来的研究开发长期监测系统，并结合高分辨率建模以及符合伦理的人工智能应用，以应对微塑料对地下水环境造成的不断升级的威胁。通过识别关键研究差距，本研究旨在指导可持续和可扩展的微塑料识别与去除技术的进步，这对于减轻其对环境和健康的影响至关重要。
