Confronting microplastic pollution: integrative approaches for a sustainable future

The rapid increase in per capita plastic consumption has led to a global surge in plastic waste, much of which accumulates in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Over time, these materials fragment into microplastics that further contaminate soils, rivers, and oceans, posing serious ecological and health risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulative potential. This mini-review outlines current strategies to remediate microplastic pollution, focusing on four main categories: physical, chemical, biological, and adsorption-based methods. Physical techniques such as membrane filtration and flotation are effective for larger particles, while chemical approaches like coagulation and photocatalysis target smaller fragments. Biological degradation using bacteria and fungi offers eco-friendly potential, though limited by slow kinetics. Adsorption methods employing activated carbon and nanomaterials provide low-cost alternatives but require careful management of spent materials. By briefly examining these technologies, the paper highlights the urgent need for scalable, integrated solutions to address the growing burden of microplastics in natural systems.