Interactions Between Microplastics and Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Systems: Impacts on Environmental Fate, Transport, and Risk Assessment

This review examines microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, their interactions with organic pollutants (OPs), effects on organisms, and implications for human and ecological health. MPs are ubiquitous, persistent contaminants. Their small size and large surface area enhance adsorption of diverse OPs; however, the extent to which MPs influence pollutant transport, fate, and bioavailability remains highly context-dependent and is still under scientific debate. Sorption processes are influenced by polymer type, pollutant properties, environmental factors, and aging processes that increase surface reactivity, further contributing to the variability of MP–OP interactions. Detection of MPs in human tissues raises concerns about long-term health effects, including inflammatory, immune, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and endocrine responses. Despite advances in analytical techniques, challenges remain in identifying and quantifying small particles in complex matrices. This review emphasizes the need for integrated, multi-technique, and environmentally realistic studies to understand MP–OP interactions and support risk assessment. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies, improving nano-sized particle detection, and elucidating long-term effects, including trophic transfer and potential tissue accumulation.