abstract
- Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as contaminants posing serious environmental threats. Various types of MPs are being discharged into our water bodies, affecting the natural biogeochemical processes in the aquatic ecosystem, including modifications in carbon and nutrient cycling and imparting severe toxicity to flora and fauna. While several pieces of literature are available on the sources and types of MPs being discharged into various global water bodies, deep insights into the various biogeochemical processes affecting the environmental cycle still remain nascent. The present review highlights the key research avenues elucidating the governing mechanisms for changes in the biogeochemical cycle due to microplastic pollution. This includes different studies carried out on the impacts of MPs on the various environmental (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) cycles of the aquatic ecosystems. It also presents the toxicity aspects of MPs on the aquatic flora and fauna in different environments. Finally, we discuss the prospects that researchers need to focus on to provide a more comprehensive picture of the biogeochemical processes involved in MP pollution and to achieve sustainable solutions to abate MP contamination. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.