Hrvatske vode, Vol. 33 No. 133-134, 2025.
Review article
Microplastics in the environment: sources, distribution and ecological impacts in the context of ecological footprint, sustainable development and education
Milica Nedeljković
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* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Microplastics represents one of the most complex and widespread modern environmental challenges due to its global distribution, durability and cumulative impacts on natural and social systems. It is defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm that occur by fragmentation of larger plastic products or are deliberately produced as primary microparticles for industrial and consumer uses. Scientific research confirm microplastics presence in all environmental media, including aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric systems, whereby it shows the ability for long-term persistence and bioaccumulation in living organisms. The negative impacts of microplastics can be seen in disturbances of biological processes, changes in the structure and function of ecosystems and deterioration of food webs. In addition to ecological and biological consequences, microplastic significantly contributes to the increase in the ecological footprints of modern societies due to its close relation to the linear models of production, consumption and waste management. In this manner, microplastics represents a barrier to achieving the objectives of sustainable development, particularly those related to ecosystem conservation, food safety and the quality of living. The global character of the issue has been additionally confirmed by recent synthetic studies, which emphasize complex interactions of microplastics within an ecosystem and its ability to carry over among different environmental media.
Keywords
ecological footprint; ecological impacts; terrestrial and aquatic systems; microplastics; education for sustainable development; environmental pollution
Hrčak ID:
352100
URI
Publication date:
5.1.2026.
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