Paper Title
Battling the Persistent and Invisible: A Case for Global Action Against Microplastics

Abstract
Microplastics represent a significant environmental threat and have garnered attention for their ubiquitous presence, time tested persistence and their high affinity for bioaccumulation. In the recent years, microplastics have undoubtedly gained prominence as an emerging contaminant. An emerging contaminant refers to a substance that is newly recognized for its potential harm to human health or the environment, often lacking sufficient regulation. This paper investigates the sources, distribution, and ecological risks of microplastics in aquatic systems, while critically evaluating the efficacy of current and developing remediation technologies. Primary and secondary microplastics enter water bodies through pathways such as urban runoff, wastewater effluent, and industrial discharges. Once in the environment, these particles can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms and potentially transfer through the food chain, posing health risks to humans. Traditional water treatment processes—such as sedimentation, sand filtration, and activated carbon adsorption—have demonstrated limited effectiveness in removing microplastics. Consequently, advanced methods, including membrane filtration, nanotechnology-based systems, and bioengineered solutions, are under active investigation to enhance removal efficiency. Despite these technological advancements, the absence of cohesive regulatory frameworks and inconsistent mitigation strategies continue to impede comprehensive pollution control efforts. This paper argues for the urgent management of microplastics as emerging contaminants by analyzing the shortcomings of current treatment technologies, examining policy gaps, and exploring innovative approaches. Addressing microplastic pollution will require interdisciplinary collaboration, accelerated technological innovation, and the establishment of robust regulatory measures to safeguard water quality and public health. Keywords - Microplastics, Emerging Contaminants, Primary and Secondary Microplastics