A bibliometric analysis of characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in marine environment based on Web of Science

CHANG Pengfei; ZHANG Le; ZHAI Yujia; XIE Tian; CHEN Wenwen; LIU Gang

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202602002

Volume 44 Issue 2

Feb. 2026

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(2): 15-24

CHANG Pengfei, ZHANG Le, ZHAI Yujia, XIE Tian, CHEN Wenwen, LIU Gang. A bibliometric analysis of characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in marine environment based on Web of Science[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(2): 15-24. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202602002

Citation:

CHANG Pengfei, ZHANG Le, ZHAI Yujia, XIE Tian, CHEN Wenwen, LIU Gang. A bibliometric analysis of characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in marine environment based on Web of Science[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(2): 15-24. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202602002

Citation:

CHANG Pengfei, ZHANG Le, ZHAI Yujia, XIE Tian, CHEN Wenwen, LIU Gang. A bibliometric analysis of characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in marine environment based on Web of Science[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(2): 15-24. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202602002

PDF( 2013 KB)

A bibliometric analysis of characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in marine environment based on Web of Science

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202602002

1. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China;
2. State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;
3. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China;
4. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Received Date: 2025-01-05
Available Online: 2026-04-11
Publish Date: 2026-02-01

Abstract

Abstract

To investigate the current status， hotspots， and future development trends of quantitative research on microplastics and nanoplastics in the marine environment， this study， based on the Web of Science Core Collection， uses CiteSpace to conduct a visual analysis of 422 related literature in the field of microplastics and nanoplastics quantification in the marine environment from 2012 to 2023. The study unfolds from multiple aspects such as annual publication volume， research institutions， national and author collaboration networks， keyword clustering and emergence， and co-citation analysis. The results indicate that the volume of publications on the quantification of microplastics and nanoplastics in the marine environment is generally on the rise， currently in a phase of research innovation. In this field， China leads in the number of publications but needs to enhance collaboration with other countries； Italy demonstrates a promising developing trend with a high publication volume and excellent international cooperation. It is noteworthy that foreign institutions have closer collaborations， and most core authors and highly cited papers are from abroad. Keyword clustering analysis reveals that research mainly focuses on the occurrence characteristics， characterization， and quantification， and the ecological risks of microplastics and nanoplastics. Keyword burst analysis suggests that the standardization of sample collection and detection methods， the characterization and quantification of nanoscale plastics， and the numerical modeling and prediction of source-sink processes of micro/nanoplastics are expected to become key directions and hotspots in future research.
- marine environment,
- micro-nano plastics,
- CiteSpace,
- quantitative methods,
- research progress

FullText(HTML)

References(51)

References

[1]	RYAN P G，MOLONEY C L. Marine litter keeps increasing［J］. Nature，1993，361（6407）:23.
[2]	THOMPSON R C，OLSEN Y，MITCHELL R P，et al. Lost at sea:where is all the plastic？［J］. Science，2004，304（5672）:838.
[3]	KAKADE A，MI J，LONG R. Microplastics in the world oceans and strategies for their control［J］. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology，2024，262（1）:20.
[4]	LIU P，ZHAN X，WU X W，et al. Effect of weathering on environmental behavior of microplastics:properties，sorption and potential risks［J］. Chemosphere，2020，242:125193.
[5]	MACLEOD M，ARP H P H，TEKMAN M B，et al. The global threat from plastic pollution［J］. Science，2021，373（6550）:61-65.
[6]	THOMPSON R C，COURTENE-JONES W，BOUCHER J，et al. Twenty years of microplastic pollution research:what have we learned？［J］. Science，2024，386（6720）:eadl2746.
[7]	HARTMANN N B，HüFFER T，THOMPSON R C，et al. Are we speaking the same language？ Recommendations for a definition and categorization framework for plastic debris［J］. Environmental Science& Technology，2019，53（3）:1039-1047.
[8]	AUTA H S，EMENIKE C U，FAUZIAH S H. Distribution and importance of microplastics in the marine environment:a review of the sources，fate，effects，and potential solutions［J］. Environment International，2017，102:165-176.
[9]	LIU H Z，BAI J H，WANG Y Q，et al. Research progress and hotspot analysis of sediment microplastics based on CiteSpace bibliometrics［J］. Environmental Engineering，2023，41（1）:42-50. 刘海朱，白军红，王亚琪，等. 基于CiteSpace文献计量的沉积物微塑料研究进展与热点分析［J］. 环境工程，2023，41（1）:42-50.
[10]	HOU C，SHAO H Q，BI Y M，et al. International practices of microplastics pollution prevention and their enlightenments to China［J］. Environmental Monitoring and Forewarning，2024，16（3）:99-104. 侯聪，邵红琪，毕艳孟，等. 微塑料污染防治国际实践及对我国的启示［J］. 环境监控与预警，2024，16（3）:99-104.
[11]	RILLIG M C，KIM S W，KIM T Y，et al. The global plastic toxicity debt［J］. Environmental Science& Technology，2021，55（5）:2717-2719.
[12]	XIE Y，SHI Z Y，PANG H D，et al. Research on microplastics pollution and development of its detection methods［J］. Environmental Science and Management，2024，49（2）:105-110. 谢颖，施赞宇，庞皓东，等. 微塑料污染现状及检测方法研究进展［J］. 环境科学与管理，2024，49（2）:105-110.
[13]	LESLIE H A，BRANDSMA S H，VAN VELZEN M J M，et al. Microplastics en route:field measurements in the Dutch river delta and Amsterdam canals，wastewater treatment plants，North Sea sediments and biota［J］. Environment International，2017，101:133-142.
[14]	XU Y，OU Q，WANG X，et al. Assessing the mass concentration of microplastics and nanoplastics in wastewater treatment plants by pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry［J］. Environmental Science& Technology，2023，57（8）:3114-3123.
[15]	STOCK F，KOCHLEUS C，BäNSCH-BALTRUSCHAT B，et al. Sampling techniques and preparation methods for microplastic analyses in the aquatic environment-a review［J］. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry，2019，113:84-92.
[16]	CHEN Y，CHEN C M，LIU Z Y，et al. The methodology function of CiteSpace mapping knowledge domains［J］. Studies in Science of Science，2015，33（2）:242-253. 陈悦，陈超美，刘则渊，等. CiteSpace知识图谱的方法论功能［J］. 科学学研究，2015，33（2）:242-253.
[17]	XIAO M，CHEN J Y，LI G J. Visualization analysis on the research of mapping knowledge domains based on Citespace［J］. Library and Information Service，2011，55（6）:91-95. 肖明，陈嘉勇，李国俊. 基于CiteSpace研究科学知识图谱的可视化分析［J］. 图书情报工作，2011，55（6）:91-95.
[18]	ZHAO G Q，LI X C，YI W，et al. Status，hotspots，and trends of studies on microplastics in freshwater based on bibliometric［J］. Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae，2023，43（12）:137-151. 赵国强，李学茶，易伟，等. 基于文献计量的淡水中微塑料研究现状、热点及趋势［J］. 环境科学学报，2023，43（12）:137-151.
[19]	GUO Y L，JIA J S，HE S. Research hotspots and trends of the health effects of synergistic emission reduction of greenhouse gases and air pollutants based on Citespace［J］. China Environmental Science，2024，44（9）:1-16. 郭亚丽，贾俊松，何珊. 基于CiteSpace的温室气体与空气污染物协同减排健康效应研究热点及趋势分析［J］. 中国环境科学，2024，44（9）:1-16.
[20]	LU H Y，GUO X，WEI Y Q. Research on ecological compensation of grassland resources based on CiteSpace bibliometrics:characteristics，mechanisms，and policies［J］. Pratacultural Science，2023，40（12）:3189-3209. 芦海燕，郭鑫，魏彦强. 基于CiteSpace文献计量的草地资源生态补偿研究:特征、机制及政策［J］. 草业科学，2023，40（12）:3189-3209.
[21]	FENG X J，WU J J，LIU X F，et al. Hotspots and evolution of foreign research on emergency management:based on knowledge graph analysis of Web of Science database from 2001 to 2023［J］. Journal of Safety Science and Technology，2024，20（6）:190-196. 冯小军，吴春杰，刘晓斐，等. 国外应急管理研究热点与演进:基于2001—2023年Web of Science数据库知识图谱分析［J］. 中国安全生产科学技术，2024，20（6）:190-196.
[22]	WANG Y Y，ZHAO Z H，YAN M F，et al. Research trends in lake's nitrogen removal based on Citespace software［J］. Research of Environmental Sciences，2024，37（7）:1524-1533. 王玉月，赵子涵，颜梦凡，等. 基于CiteSpace的湖泊脱氮研究态势分析［J］. 环境科学研究，2024，37（7）:1524-1533.
[23]	HIDALGO-RUZ V，GUTOW L，THOMPSON R C，et al. Microplastics in the marine environment:a review of the methods used for identification and quantification［J］. Environmental Science& Technology，2012，46（6）:3060-3075.
[24]	HE X J，LI J Y. Recent advances in quantitative tracking and detection technologies for micro/nano plastics in the environment［J］. Journal of Instrumental Analysis，2024，43（8）:1135-1143. 何晓杰，李菊英. 环境中微/纳塑料的定量追踪与检测技术研究进展［J］. 分析测试学报，2024，43（8）:1135-1143.
[25]	LI H，JIANG H D，YANG B，et al. An analysis of research hotspots and modeling techniques on carbon capture and storage［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2019，687:687-701.
[26]	FENG Y，WANG Z K，YU X W，et al. A bibliometric analysis of antibiotic resistance genes in soil media based on Web of Science［J］. Asian Journal of Ecotoxicology，2023，18（6）:302-313. 冯衍，王章凯，余雪巍，等. 基于Web of Science对土壤介质中抗生素抗性基因的文献计量分析［J］. 生态毒理学报，2023，18（6）:302-313.
[27]	LI L L，HE J，DENG Z H，et al. Research hotspots and future prospects of environmental awareness and behavior in China:Visual analysis based on Citespace［J］. Journal of Shandong Normal University（Natural Sciences Edition），2023，38（3）:259-269. 李露露，何姣，邓正华，等. 我国环境意识与行为研究热点与未来展望:基于CiteSpace的可视化分析［J］. 山东师范大学学报（自然科学版），2023，38（3）:259-269.
[28]	LI J，CHEN C M. CiteSpace:text mining and visualization in scientific literature［M］. Beijing:The Capital University of Economics and Business Press，2022. 李杰，陈超美. CiteSpace科技文本挖掘及可视化［M］. 北京:首都经济贸易大学出版社，2022.
[29]	CHENG Z，XIE Y，WEN H. Visualization analysis of research on climate innovation on CiteSpace［J］. Frontiers in Environmental Science，2022，10:995256.
[30]	HAGHANI M，SABRI S，DE GRUYTER C，et al. The landscape and evolution of urban planning science［J］. Cities，2023，136:104261.
[31]	CHEN Y，CHEN C M，LIU Z Y，et al. The methodology function of CiteSpace mapping knowledge domains［J］. Studies in Science of Science，2015，33（2）:242-253. 陈悦，陈超美，刘则渊，等. CiteSpace知识图谱的方法论功能［J］. 科学学研究，2015，33（2）:242-253.
[32]	STROKAL M，VRIEND P，BAK M P，et al. River export of macro-and microplastics to seas by sources worldwide［J］. Nature Communications，2023，14（1）:4842.
[33]	WANG C H，ZHAO J，XING B S. Environmental source，fate，and toxicity of microplastics［J］. Journal of Hazardous Materials，2021，407:124357.
[34]	BAGHERI T，GHOLIZADEH M，ABARGHOUEI S，et al. Microplastics distribution，abundance and composition in sediment，fishes and benthic organisms of the Gorgan Bay，Caspian Sea［J］. Chemosphere，2020，257:127201.
[35]	BUCCI S，RICHON C，BAKELS L. Exploring the transport path of oceanic microplastics in the atmosphere［J］. Environmental Science& Technology，2024，58（32）:14338-14347.
[36]	HUANG Z K，HU B，WANG H. Analytical methods for microplastics in the environment:a review［J］. Environmental Chemistry Letters，2023，21（1）:383-401.
[37]	GILLIBERT R，BALAKRISHNAN G，DESHOULES Q，et al. Raman tweezers for small microplastics and nanoplastics identification in seawater［J］. Environmental Science& Technology，2019，53（15）:9003-9013.
[38]	KEDZIERSKI M，FALCOU-PRéFOL M，KERROS M E，et al. A machine learning algorithm for high throughput identification of FTIR spectra:application on microplastics collected in the Mediterranean Sea［J］. Chemosphere，2019，234:242-251.
[39]	HERMABESSIERE L，PAUL-PONT I，CASSONE A L，et al. Microplastic contamination and pollutant levels in mussels and cockles collected along the channel coasts［J］. Environmental Pollution，2019，250:807-819.
[40]	ALI W，JEONG H，LEE J S，et al. Biodegradable microplastics interaction with pollutants and their potential toxicity for aquatic biota:a review［J］. Environmental Chemistry Letters，2024，22（3）:1185-1220.
[41]	LEI J L，MA Q W，DING X M，et al. Microplastic environmental behavior and health risk assessment:a review［J］. Environmental Chemistry Letters，2024，22（4）:1-25.
[42]	HE G F，CHEN M，GU J Y，et al. Research progress of carbon capture technology in sewage treatment based on CiteSpace metrological analysis［J］. Environmental Engineering，2025，43（1）:70-79. 何国富，陈敏，顾佳艳，等. 基于CiteSpace计量分析的污水处理中碳捕集技术的研究进展［J］. 环境工程，2025，43（1）:70-79.
[43]	QU X Y，SU L，LI H X，et al. Assessing the relationship between the abundance and properties of microplastics in water and in mussels［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2018，621:679-686.
[44]	ISOBE A，IWASAKI S，UCHIDA K，et al. Abundance of non-conservative microplastics in the upper ocean from 1957 to 2066［J］. Nature Communications，2019，10（1）:417.
[45]	LI J Y，LIU H H，PAUL CHEN J. Microplastics in freshwater systems:a review on occurrence，environmental effects，and methods for microplastics detection［J］. Water Research，2018，137:362-374.
[46]	POLI V，LITTI L，LAVAGNOLO M C. Microplastic pollution in the North-east Atlantic Ocean surface water:how the sampling approach influences the extent of the issue［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2024，947:174561.
[47]	MAES T，JESSOP R，WELLNER N，et al. A rapid-screening approach to detect and quantify microplastics based on fluorescent tagging with Nile Red［J］. Scientific Reports，2017，7（1）:44501.
[48]	GEYER R，JAMBECK J R，LAW K L. Production，use，and fate of all plastics ever made［J］. Science Advances，2017，3（7）:e1700782.
[49]	PRATA J C，COSTA J P DA，DUARTE A C，et al. Methods for sampling and detection of microplastics in water and sediment:a critical review［J］. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry，2019，110:150-159.
[50]	ERNI-CASSOLA G，GIBSON M I，THOMPSON R C，et al. Lost，but found with Nile Red:a novel method for detecting and quantifying small microplastics（1 mm to 20 μm）in environmental samples［J］. Environmental Science& Technology，2017，51（23）:13641-13648.
[51]	JAMBECK J R，GEYER R，WILCOX C，et al. Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean［J］. Science，2015，347（6223）:768-771.