Evolving research perspectives on microplastic pollution: A focus on Sri Lanka in comparison to the South and Southeast Asian region

Microplastics have been recognized as an emerging contaminant in terrestrial and aquatic environments due to their ubiquitous existence. Global study on microplastics has increased in recent years, indicating a growing concern of these tiny pollutants. Studies have investigated a variety of topics, including their prevalence in marine and freshwater ecosystems, aquatic organism ingestion, potential health consequences, and mitigation and management techniques. More than 17,000 journal publications were reported in Scopus from 2010 to 2024, led by China (>5900), and followed by USA (>1800), Germany (>1200), UK (>1100), Italy (>1000) and India (>1000). Researchers from various disciplines, including environmental science, chemistry, agriculture, medicine etc., have contributed to this multidimensional subject. Despite a global attention on assessing microplastic pollution in different environments, there is a lack of knowledge about this field in the South and Southeast Asia including Sri Lanka.