Microplastics in the Environment: Detection, Distribution, and Engineering Solutions for Mitigation

Microplastics, generally defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, originate from the fragmentation of larger plastic debris or from primary sources such as industrial pellets, cosmetics, and synthetic textiles. They have been detected in oceans, rivers, lakes, soils, sediments, the atmosphere, food products, and even human tissues. Their persistence, mobility, and potential to adsorb and transport pollutants have made them a growing global environmental concern. Recent studies have highlighted the need for harmonized monitoring methods, improved analytical techniques, and effective remediation technologies to better understand and address microplastic pollution. The environmental engineering community is uniquely positioned to contribute practical solutions that complement policy and behavioral interventions.Microplastics have emerged as one of the most pervasive environmental contaminants of the 21st century. Their widespread occurrence in aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments raises concerns regarding ecosystem health, food security, and human well-being. While substantial progress has been made in understanding the occurrence of microplastics, significant challenges remain in standardizing analytical methods, understanding environmental transport pathways, assessing ecological impacts, and developing effective engineering-based mitigation solutions.This Research Topic aims to bring together interdisciplinary research that advances our understanding of microplastic detection, distribution, fate, impacts, and mitigation. Particular emphasis will be placed on innovative engineering approaches that can reduce, remove, or prevent microplastic contamination in environmental systems.This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, methods papers, and case studies addressing the occurrence, characterization, impacts, and mitigation of microplastics in environmental systems.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Sampling, extraction, and analytical methods for microplastic detection and characterization• Advances in spectroscopy, imaging, sensor technologies, and AI-assisted analysis• Distribution, transport, and fate of microplastics in aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments• Sources, pathways, and environmental risk assessment of microplastics• Microplastics in drinking water, wastewater, sediments, soils, food chains, and biota• Human exposure and public health implications• Waste management and circular economy approaches to reducing plastic pollution• Engineering technologies for microplastic removal and remediation• Nature-based solutions and sustainable mitigation strategies• Regional case studies, monitoring programmes, and baseline assessments• Policy, governance, and stakeholder engagement related to microplastic pollutionThe collection encourages interdisciplinary contributions from environmental engineers, chemists, ecologists, environmental scientists, public health researchers, and policymakers. Topic editors: Jose Hernandez Santos, Chingakham Chinglenthoiba, Sabiqah T. Anuar Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82897/microplastics-in-the-environment-detection-distribution-and-engineering-solutions-for-mitigation