Jornal de Química Analítica Ambiental

Microplastic Occurrence and Transport: The State of the Science

Abstract

Shanthi Kuppusamy

Microplastic (MP) particles have been found in most environments, and their concentrations are expected to rise in the coming decades as synthetic polymer production expands. The expected increase in plastic pollution (including MPs) may increase the risk that these synthetic particles pose to both the environment and human health. The goal of this review is to provide a summary of current knowledge about the occurrence and transport of MPs in and across three of the Earth's subsystems: the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Evidence is presented that the lithosphere contains significant MP accumulation, the effects of which are unknown.