Path of Science: International Electronic Scientific Journal

Microplastics are present in every ecosystem and pose serious environmental and health risks. Public awareness and responses to microplastics have not kept pace with scientific research and detection/distribution. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are becoming more common in enhancing environmental monitoring. This systematic literature review examines scientific literature from 2015-2025 to explore public perceptions of microplastic pollution in the United States and assess the usefulness of AI technologies for microplastic monitoring. We conducted a peer-reviewed study search and analysis using the PRISMA methodology. The results show that the public is worried about plastic pollution, but motivations to act relate to cost, trust, and perceived responsibility. AI-based monitoring technologies show great promise for improving detection accuracy and efficiency but remain underutilised in the field. The study identifies a key challenge: closing the gap between technological developments and public awareness and policymaking. The study adopts a social-ecological systems (SES) perspective to highlight the interdependency of environmental, social, and technological aspects. The review ends by pinpointing research uncertainties and the need for stronger interdisciplinary connections to achieve effective environmental governance.

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