Microplastics, defined as plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimeters, have become an omnipresent contaminant in marine ecosystems. These tiny particles originate from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, as well as from the direct release of microbeads used in cosmetics and personal care products. The growing prevalence of microplastics in marine environments raises significant ecological, toxicological, and socio-economic concerns, which necessitate urgent scientific inquiry and policy intervention.
One of the primary pathways through which microplastics enter marine ecosystems is via rivers and coastal runoff. Research indicates that urban areas with inadequate waste management systems are significant contributors to microplastic pollution. These particles can be transported over long distances by currents, svmediators.com affecting regions far from their source.
