Unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion: Hidden threats, synergistic pollutants, and biodegradation Frontiers — A comprehensive hotspot review

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as silent disruptors in anaerobic digestion (AD) systems—critical infrastructure in the global push toward sustainable waste-to-energy conversion. While AD has long been championed for its role in renewable energy generation and waste minimization, the infiltration o...

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Main Authors: Sameh S. Ali, Rania Al-Tohamy, Jianzhong Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-01-01
Series:Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590182625000578
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author Sameh S. Ali
Rania Al-Tohamy
Jianzhong Sun
author_facet Sameh S. Ali
Rania Al-Tohamy
Jianzhong Sun
author_sort Sameh S. Ali
collection DOAJ
description Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as silent disruptors in anaerobic digestion (AD) systems—critical infrastructure in the global push toward sustainable waste-to-energy conversion. While AD has long been championed for its role in renewable energy generation and waste minimization, the infiltration of MPs introduces a complex, largely uncharted set of biochemical and ecological challenges. This review unpacks the novel intersection of MP pollution and AD performance, shedding light on how these persistent particles disrupt microbial pathways, suppress methane yield, and act as vectors for hazardous pollutants like antibiotics, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants. Integrating cutting-edge bioremediation strategies and bibliometric insights, this work positions MPs not just as an environmental nuisance but as a biochemical bottleneck in circular economy systems. Understanding and mitigating MP impacts in AD is no longer optional—it's the key to unlocking the next generation of resilient, high-performance bioenergy platforms.
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publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
record_format Article
series Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
spelling doaj-art-83a8cdae23c64273b20675c872472c292025-08-20T03:54:07ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology2590-18262025-01-017980101010.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.008Unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion: Hidden threats, synergistic pollutants, and biodegradation Frontiers — A comprehensive hotspot reviewSameh S. Ali0Rania Al-Tohamy1Jianzhong Sun2Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; Corresponding authors at: Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Corresponding authors at: Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as silent disruptors in anaerobic digestion (AD) systems—critical infrastructure in the global push toward sustainable waste-to-energy conversion. While AD has long been championed for its role in renewable energy generation and waste minimization, the infiltration of MPs introduces a complex, largely uncharted set of biochemical and ecological challenges. This review unpacks the novel intersection of MP pollution and AD performance, shedding light on how these persistent particles disrupt microbial pathways, suppress methane yield, and act as vectors for hazardous pollutants like antibiotics, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants. Integrating cutting-edge bioremediation strategies and bibliometric insights, this work positions MPs not just as an environmental nuisance but as a biochemical bottleneck in circular economy systems. Understanding and mitigating MP impacts in AD is no longer optional—it's the key to unlocking the next generation of resilient, high-performance bioenergy platforms.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590182625000578Anaerobic digestionBiogas inhibitionBioremediation strategiesEcotoxicologyMicroplasticsPersistent organic pollutants
spellingShingle Sameh S. Ali
Rania Al-Tohamy
Jianzhong Sun
Unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion: Hidden threats, synergistic pollutants, and biodegradation Frontiers — A comprehensive hotspot review
Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
Anaerobic digestion
Biogas inhibition
Bioremediation strategies
Ecotoxicology
Microplastics
Persistent organic pollutants
title Unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion: Hidden threats, synergistic pollutants, and biodegradation Frontiers — A comprehensive hotspot review
title_full Unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion: Hidden threats, synergistic pollutants, and biodegradation Frontiers — A comprehensive hotspot review
title_fullStr Unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion: Hidden threats, synergistic pollutants, and biodegradation Frontiers — A comprehensive hotspot review
title_full_unstemmed Unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion: Hidden threats, synergistic pollutants, and biodegradation Frontiers — A comprehensive hotspot review
title_short Unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion: Hidden threats, synergistic pollutants, and biodegradation Frontiers — A comprehensive hotspot review
title_sort unmasking microplastics in anaerobic digestion hidden threats synergistic pollutants and biodegradation frontiers a comprehensive hotspot review
topic Anaerobic digestion
Biogas inhibition
Bioremediation strategies
Ecotoxicology
Microplastics
Persistent organic pollutants
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590182625000578
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AT raniaaltohamy unmaskingmicroplasticsinanaerobicdigestionhiddenthreatssynergisticpollutantsandbiodegradationfrontiersacomprehensivehotspotreview
AT jianzhongsun unmaskingmicroplasticsinanaerobicdigestionhiddenthreatssynergisticpollutantsandbiodegradationfrontiersacomprehensivehotspotreview