A review on microplastic pollution in the mangrove wetlands and microbial strategies for its remediation

Mangroves are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world harboring huge biological diversity. The prime ecological roles of mangroves are prevention of coastal erosion and shoreline protection. Mangroves face varying degrees of threats due to overexploitation, conversion of mangrove habitats for agriculture, settlement and industrial purposes, illegal encroachment, global warming, sea-level rise, El Nino, and pollution. Among them, microplastic (MP) pollution is a major concern threatening not only the mangroves per se but also the rich biodiversity that it shelters. In general, the microbial communities which are paramount to nutrient recycling and ecological dynamics undergo substantial changes upon MP exposure. If the MP pollution in the mangrove habitats continues unabated in the coming decades, there may be serious consequences on the already threatened mangrove ecosystems and the coastal communities. This review article attempts to consolidate MP pollution of mangrove wetlands, its impact on mangroves and associated microbiota, and the microbial solution for its remediation as a sustainable strategy.