The hidden threat of microplastics in urban freshwater ecosystem: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a pressing environmental issue, particularly in urban freshwater ecosystems, where it poses significant risks to water quality and public health. By integrating new data and insights, this article aims to deepen the understanding of MP contamination in urban freshwater ecosystems and its broader environmental implications. This article reviews the current literature of MPs focusing on urban freshwater ecosystems, often overlooked in favor of marine settings. It uniquely addresses the sources, pathways, and biomagnification of MPs in these environments, linking ecological effects to public health, and advocating for collaborative stakeholder action and innovative management strategies. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive view of MP pollution in urban contexts where aquatic organisms can ingest MPs present in these freshwater ecosystems and move through the food chain thus ultimately reaching the human body. The effects of MPs on the food chain are examined, particularly how they accumulate in organisms, transfer between different levels of the food chain, and increase in concentration as they move up through different trophic levels. To successfully tackle MP contamination, it pushes for collaborative action among stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and the community. It calls for enhanced research efforts to fill existing knowledge gaps and develop innovative management strategies to mitigate the impacts of MPs. Ultimately, this serves as a crucial resource for informing future policies and initiatives to preserve water quality and protect public health in the face of growing plastic pollution.