Characteristics of microplastic pollution in the rivers of the Fergana Valley, Central Asia.

Microplastic pollution is becoming one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, especially in aquatic ecosystems, where it negatively impacts aquatic organisms and water quality. In different countries of the world, water pollution by microplastics has its own characteristics associated with the predominant sources and economic structure. Although numerous studies have been conducted worldwide, data on microplastic pollution of surface waters in Central Asia remain limited.