Knowledge on microplastic pollution in tropical rivers

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the abstract and stated research gap and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2021 and 2026, spanning 7 journals. Those papers have been cited 203 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 7 representative gaps

• Role of biofilms in the degradation of microplastics in aquatic environments (2021) · Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · cited 164× · doi

  In addition, we focus on the current knowledge and explain the research gaps in understanding plastic‐microbe interactions in marine environments, while highlighting the role of biofilms in the degradation of microplastic debris.

  generalabstract
  Keywords: addition focus current knowledge explain gaps understanding plastic microbe interactions marine environments highlighting role biofilms
• Spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics and associations with river water physicochemical and hydrological parameters, including risk assessments in four tropical rivers in Sarawak, Malaysia (2026) · Environmental Monitoring and Assessment · doi

  There is a lack of knowledge on microplastic pollution in tropical rivers. The study addresses this gap by examining the relationships between microplastic abundance and river water physicochemical and hydrological parameters.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there lack knowledge microplastic pollution tropical rivers study
• MICROPLASTICS AS VECTORS FOR PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS IN NUN RIVER, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA. (2026) · African Journal of Health Safety and Environment · doi

  The study identifies a gap in understanding the role of microplastics as vectors for pathogenic microbes and antibiotic resistance genes. The research highlights the need for further study on the impact of microplastics on the environment and human health.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study identifies gap understanding role microplastics vectors pathogenic
• Anomalies of NetPrimary Productivity under CompoundMarine Heatwaves and Microplastics (2026) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi

  Abstract Marine heatwaves (MHW) and microplastics (MPs) pollution increasingly co-occur, yet the response of phytoplankton net primary production (NPP) to this compound condition remains incompletely characterized, in part because analyses confined to local conditions may overlook nonlocal influences.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: abstract marine heatwaves microplastics pollution increasingly occur response phytoplankton primary production compound condition remains incompletely
• Microplastic contamination in mauritanian marine ecosystems: evidence from fish and mussels (2026) · Frontiers in Environmental Science · doi

  Further research is needed to investigate the effects of microplastic pollution on species, - Research is needed to identify the sources of microplastic pollution in the Mauritanian EEZ, - Studies should be conducted to investigate microplastic pollution in other species and habitats, - Research is needed to develop effective methods for monitoring and mitigating microplastic pollution

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: further research needed investigate effects microplastic pollution species
• Elucidating the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in water column of the northwestern South China Sea with a large-volume in situ filtration technology (plankton pump) (2025) · Frontiers in Marine Science · cited 6× · doi

  establishing standardized methodologies for microplastics pollution in water column, - concerning the smaller microplastics (< 60 μm), - interdisciplinary collaboration involving in situ field observations, laboratory simulations, physical modelling, and biogeochemical studies to better assess the vertical transport mechanisms, fate of microplastics in the water column, as well as their impacts on the marine ecosystem and the biogeochemical cycling

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: establishing standardized methodologies microplastics pollution water column concerning
• Microplastic shape influences fate in vegetated wetlands (2024) · Environmental Pollution · cited 33× · doi

  While microplastics occurrence in coastal vegetated sediments is well documented, there is conflicting evidence on whether the presence of vegetation enhances microplastics trapping relative to bare sites and the factors that influence microplastic trapping remain understudied.

  generalabstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: microplastics trapping occurrence coastal vegetated sediments well documented there conflicting evidence whether presence vegetation enhances

Questions about this gap