Examining the Ecological Footprint of Microplastics: A Holistic Exploration from Genesis to Demise

Abstract

Microplastics are described as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size. Nowadays they are making an increasingly prevalent environmental issue as generated by a variety of products. Microplastics are diagnosed in various environmental compartments like soil, water, and air and affect the quality of them. Manta nets, dust samplers, shawls, trawl etc. the sampling equipment are used. They are identified and characterised by Visual identification, FTIR, SEM, RAMAN etc. This review paper addresses the origins, sources, distribution, adverse impacts and potential hazards of microplastics on the environment and living beings and identification and quantification methods in environmental samples. Also, emphasis on Nanoparticle-mediated degradation of microplastics with titanium dioxide, iron oxide, and zinc oxide via surface adsorption and ROS generation. Integrating nanoparticles into bioplastic degradation enhances efficiency, offering multifaceted solutions for a cleaner, sustainable future.