Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Natural water sources are frequently contaminated by pernicious anthropogenic practises and municipal wastewater discharges containing xenobiotic pollutants and their sometimes more toxic degradation products, or both. Although wastewater is regarded as both a resource and a problem, as explained in this review, it is troubling that, while the global village is still grappling with determining the mode of proper handling, subsequent discharge, and regulation of already established aromatic contaminants in wastewater, some more aggressive, stealthy, and sinister groups of compounds emerge. It is ironic that the majority of these compounds are 'go-to' consumables in our current society and have been suspected of posing a number of health risks to the aquatic ecosystem.

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.