Micro(nano)plastics as Emerging Pollutants in Global Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) possess a strong capacity to adsorb and biodegrade slowly, resulting in substantial harm to the environment and potential health risks. In recent years, a flourishing study of MPs has led to valuable advancements. This review article presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global microplastic pollution, providing a deep understanding of published data, current progress, research trends, and focal points. We conducted extensive searches in the Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases from 2012 to 2021, utilizing the widely used R software for analysis. Our findings demonstrate a significant increase in micro(nano)plastic publications, with a growth rate of 73.0% from 2012 to 2021. China emerges as the predominant contributor in this field. The journal Science of the Total Environment has published the highest proportion of relevant articles (16.1%) and received the most citations (9801). The analysis further emphasizes polymer products and MPs as key research areas in the past decade. This study serves as a fundamental basis for future investigations into micro(nano)plastic pollution’s impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.