How to protect water sources from microplastic contamination?

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as one of the most widespread and persistent pollutants of the 21st century, posing profound challenges to aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity and human health. Derived from both primary and secondary origins, MPs are leaching into aquatic systems through synthetic textiles, vehicle components, personal care products and domestic wastewater discharge. Once in aquatic environments, they exhibit high chemical stability and adsorptive capacity, acting as vectors for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms. The resulting bioaccumulation and biomagnification across trophic levels causes cellular oxidative stress, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption and reproductive impairment in aquatic organisms, thus extending ecological risk to humans through trophic transfer. This compilation of recent studies concludes that the MP crisis is not only an environmental problem but also a systemic reflection of unsustainable production and consumption patterns. Addressing this challenge requires global cooperation, integrating scientific expertise with socio-political action and redefining economic growth within the limits of planetary health. This review examines the multidimensional nature of MP pollution, its sources, pathways and impacts on environmental integrity, while proposing strategic frameworks for the protection of global water resources.