Biotechnological interventions for monitoring and mitigating microplastic pollution and development of alternatives to single-use plastics

The dawn of mass plastic production in the early 20th century has accelerated the penetration of microplastics into the environment, making them known to be an insidious threat to diverse ecosystems. The current scenario for microplastics is dire, as they pervade living organisms and disrupt vital functions while also affecting the environment by altering soil quality. They pose an inherent risk to human health, making their elimination a multifaceted challenge. Due to factors such as small size, low biodegradability, and ubiquity, microplastics are particularly challenging to detect, and methods for their elimination from terrestrial and marine environments are an ever-evolving field of research. The detection of such microplastics has necessitated the use of various biotechnological techniques to monitor microplastic pollution. The control of microplastic pollution in natural ecosystems can be met by replacing mass-produced single-use plastics with viable bio-based alternatives. The main objectives of this review are to discuss how microplastic pollution is currently monitored, assessed, and controlled using satellite-generated imagery complemented with a range of biotechnological and bioremedial techniques. This review also traces the development of a range of bio-based plastic alternatives that are observed to potentially replace single-use plastics. Further discussion on the various challenges and prospects for the mitigation of microplastics will also be conducted, stressing the importance of future research.