Emerging Innovations in Detecting and Monitoring Microplastics in Aquatic Environments

Microplastics have become pervasive contaminants in aquatic environments, raising major concerns within environmental science and materials engineering communities. As plastics fragment into micro-sized particles, their small size and environmental persistence make them highly mobile in oceans, rivers, lakes, and even potable water supplies. This ubiquity presents acute challenges, since microplastics are readily ingested by aquatic life, promoting bioaccumulation of hazardous chemicals and potentially threatening the safety of marine ecosystems and human health. Recent studies have deepened our understanding of their sources—including degraded macroplastics, textiles, and personal-care products—and documented the difficulties in reliable detection due to particle diversity, minute concentrations, and complex water matrices. Strong evidence now links microplastic exposure with toxicological and ecological effects, yet robust detection and quantification methods are still lacking, impeding environmental risk assessment and regulation.Researchers have made significant advances by leveraging vibrational spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, and innovative materials to both identify and measure microplastics in situ. Electrochemical sensors, machine-learning algorithms, and SERS (surface-enhanced Raman scattering) have paved the way for more sensitive, scalable, and real-time monitoring platforms. However, critical challenges persist—namely, the absence of standardized protocols, low detectability of nanoplastics, and limited sensor portability for field deployment. Furthermore, the interplay between polymer structure and environmental degradation, as well as the impact of surface chemistry on pollutant adsorption, remain underexplored areas with high potential for breakthroughs. Addressing these gaps is vital to inform public policy, guide sustainable materials development, and mitigate the risks associated with plastic pollution in water bodies worldwide.This Research Topic aims to accelerate progress in the quantitative and qualitative detection of microplastics in aquatic environments, spanning foundational materials science to applied sensing technologies. The objective is to foster a multidisciplinary forum where researchers can share advances in sensor development, detection strategies, and data-driven approaches that enhance selectivity, sensitivity, and scalability. Contributions are especially encouraged on methodologies for optimized sensor materials, integration of spectroscopy and imaging with automated analytics, and efforts toward establishing standardized protocols. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the reliable, high-throughput monitoring of microplastics in diverse water matrices, from laboratory validation to real-world environmental surveillance.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses the design of advanced materials and sensing platforms, standardization efforts, and case studies of environmental monitoring, while focusing on aquatic environments and sensor-based detection approaches. We welcome studies that address a range of water sources, detection strategies, and data analysis frameworks, with a focus on innovation, validation, and practical implementation. To gather further insights in these areas, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Development of novel sensor materials (including nanomaterials, functional polymers, and sorbents) for microplastic capture and signal transduction- Spectroscopic, electrochemical, optical, and imaging-based detection methods for microplastics- High-throughput and in-situ sensing platforms, encompassing microfluidic devices and portable solutions- Data-driven approaches, such as machine learning, automated image or spectral analysis for particle identification and quantification- Efforts toward standardization in sampling, calibration, and validation of detection methods- Environmental monitoring case studies, technology scalability, and field application of detection platforms Topic editors: Eleonora Nicolai, Roberto Pizzoferrato Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78588/emerging-innovations-in-detecting-and-monitoring-microplastics-in-aquatic-environments