Microplastics in Wetland Ecosystem: A Complex Nexus and Way Forward

The most recent non-biodegradable contaminants in natural ecosystems are micro-plastics. Due to of its small diameters (less than 1 mm), it has an influence on both people and wildlife, especially aquatic species. In addition to being prevalent in freshwater ecosystems like those found in lakes, reservoirs, river basins, wetlands, and even moist agricultural areas and groundwater, micro-plastics are also frequently found in marine habitats. This study focuses on the main sources, identification, and estimation of micro-plastics in wetlands. Because microplastic pollution is pervasive in aquatic habitats and there is mounting proof that it has harmful biological impacts, this pollution is alarming. Micro-plastics are frequently found in the forms of fibres (thread), foams, and plastic pellets in wetland habitats. In the presence of the four types of micro-plastics, soil pH was not considerably impacted, but organic matter, potassium, total nitrogen, and phosphorus altered dramatically. The richness and diversity of algae on the soil surface greatly increased when polystyrene micro-plastics were introduced to the soil. So, when soil microbial communities are altered by micro-plastics, some unique soil microbial species engaged in nitrogen cycle are enriched. These findings show that plastic residues have both direct and indirect effects on the plant–microbe-soil system, with possible further repercussions on the health of wetland ecosystems. Our study aims to report the existence of microplastics in the wetland environment and how they are ingested by lifeforms. There is requirement of more research to completely analyse the impact of micro-plastic contamination in the wetland ecosystem.