Occurrence, Environmental Behaviors, and Characterization of Microplastics in Landfills: A Review

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have gained increasing recognition as ubiquitous contaminants with a widespread presence across diverse environmental compartments. Characterized by a high specific surface area, small particle size, and strong adsorption affinity for pollutants, MPs pose considerable environmental concerns. Over recent decades, substantial quantities of MPs from varied sources have been released globally, and their intricate environmental behaviors present significant risks to ecosystem stability. Landfills, acting as major reservoirs for plastic waste, have been identified as critical sources of MP contamination. This review synthesizes recent advancements in understanding the occurrence and environmental behaviors of MPs in landfill environments, with particular emphasis on MP-derived dissolved organic matter. Furthermore, it critically reviews and discusses the progress and limitations of current characterization methodologies—covering sample collection, pretreatment, and detection techniques—based on both physical properties and chemical composition. Special attention is given to the urgent need for developing robust analytical approaches to assess the ecological toxicity of MPs and their associated additives. Finally, future research perspectives and directions concerning MPs in landfill settings are proposed.