Journal profile · Environmental Science-Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
Microplastics
ISSN 2673-8929 · MDPI AG · Switzerland
Microplastics: CAS Zone 3 · Environmental Science & Ecology (2026 Xinrui edition); impact factor 4.8 (journal website); JCR Q2 (journal website); fully open access; APC charged, amount not published; review about 6 weeks (community reports); 108 articles in 2025; indexed in ESCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Microplastics is published by MDPI AG and is classed under Environmental Science & Ecology in the CAS Journal Ranking. By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Microplastics and Plastic Pollution, Recycling and Waste Management Techniques and biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties, together about 68.9% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
AimsMicroplastics (ISSN 2673-8929), an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal, provides an advanced forum for studies related to the science and technology of primary and secondary microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs). It publishes reviews, regular research papers (articles), communications, and Special Issues on particular subjects, though other article types may be considered.The aim of Microplastics is to publish papers in the field of microplastic or nanoplastic sources, sinks and environmental fate, MNPs’ potential effect on ecosystem services and human life, and mitigation measures to reduce the adverse effects of MNPs. The journal has no restrictions regarding the length of papers. Full experimental details should be provided so that the results can be reproduced.The journal also welcomes perspectives regarding new and innovative research proposals and ideas, and electronic files or software regarding the full details of calculations and experimental procedures as well as source codes can be submitted as supplementary material.Scope Sampling, characterization, and quantification of microplastics and nanoplastics in environmental matrices (air, soil, water); Sampling, characterization, and quantification of microplastics and nanoplastics in biological tissues (e.g., plant, animal, human); Technologies for ocean cleanup of plastic debris; Plastic debris/marine litter and their associated chemicals; Plastic pellets in the environment—occurrence, collection and mitigation; Fate of microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic environments (freshwater and marine); Fate of microplastics and nanoplastics in terrestrial environments; Field studies of microplastics and nanoplastics in agricultural soils and plant tissues; Occurrence, characterization, exposure assessment, and risk evaluation of microplastics and nanoplastics in food and food products; Microfibers and nanofibers from textiles; Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics on ecosystem function; Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health; Human exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics through food, water, air, and consumer products; Fate of microplastics and nanoplastics in the human body and biological systems; Ecotoxicology of microplastics and nanoplastics; Fate of biodegradable/bio-based microplastics and nanoplastics; Chemical and biological recycling of microplastics; (Bio)degradation of microplastics and nanoplastics; Waste management and mitigation of microplastics a
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Environmental Science-Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
Editorial board by country: none in mainland China; most named Italy 10, Spain 4, United Kingdom 3, Portugal 2, United States 1 (30 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Microplastics and Plastic PollutionEnvironmental Science38.1%
- Recycling and Waste Management TechniquesEnvironmental Science17.8%
- biodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesMaterials Science13%
- Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicalsEnvironmental Science8%
- Marine Biology and Environmental ChemistryEngineering4.5%
- Nanoparticles: synthesis and applicationsMaterials Science4.1%
- Graphene and Nanomaterials ApplicationsEngineering1.9%
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing TechnologiesEngineering1.4%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Not covered
Not covered by this edition.
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Environmental Science & Ecology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Environmental Science & Ecology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Environmental Sciences | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Not covered
Not covered by this edition.
JCR / CiteScore quartiles on the journal's website
- JCR Q2 · Environmental Sciences
Publisher-reported: JCR figures are Clarivate's and CiteScore figures Scopus's to confirm; both are a different system from the CAS zones.Publisher website
Database indexing
ESCIScopusDOAJLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
Web of SciencePublisher website
Other: EBSCO
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 4.8Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 5.2Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 7.7LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 7.7Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.39LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.73LetPub ·
- h-index
- 30OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 101OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 3.58OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 12.5%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 100%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 108LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 519 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 191 | 191 | 156 |
| 2025 | 108 | 108 | 676 |
| 2024 | 123 | 123 | 680 |
| 2023 | 30 | 30 | 505 |
| 2022 | 63 | 63 | 1,374 |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 | 189 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 6 weeksLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 22.7 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 13.7 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to publication (journal-reported)
- about 6 weeksDOAJ ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewDOAJ
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Fully open accessDOAJ
Every article is open access; authors usually pay an article processing charge (APC).
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOAJ | CHF 1,000 | Yes | CC BY | |
| OpenAlex | CHF 1,000 | — | — | |
| LetPub | CHF 1,000 | Yes | — | |
| Publisher website | Yes, amount not published | — | — |
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare7 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 200 words
- Reference style
- Author–date
- Templates
- LaTeX and Word
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Suggested reviewers
- Required
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted19
- articleArticle: These are original research manuscripts. The work should report scientifically sound experiments and provide a substantial amount of new information. T…Length not stated
- book reviewAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- brief communicationAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- brief reportAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- case reportAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- commentaryAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- conference reportAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- editorialAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- hypothesisAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- letterAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- opinionAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- perspectiveAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- protocolAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- registered reportAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- reviewAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- systematic reviewAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- technical noteAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- tutorialAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
- viewpointAll Article Types Article Review Communication Editorial Abstract Book Review Brief Communication Brief Report Case Report Clinicopathological Challenge Comment…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAuthorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- Authorship Authorship
MDPI follows the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines which state that, in order to qualify for authorship of a manuscript, the following criteria should be observed: Make substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; Draft the work or review it critically for important intel…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Conflicts of Interest
According to The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, “Authors should avoid entering into agreements with study sponsors, both for-profit and non-profit, that interfere with authors’ access to all of the study’s data or that interfere with their ability to analyze and interpret the data and to prepare and publish manuscripts independently when and where they choose.” All authors mus…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability Data availability statements
Reproducibility: full experimental details, controls, and datasets must be provided where possible. Model summary
Data availability statements are required for all articles published with MDPI. During the peer review and editorial decision process, authors can be asked to share existing datasets or raw data that have been analyzed in the manuscript, and whether they will be made available to other researchers following publication. Authors will also be asked for the details of any existing datasets that have …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Publication Ethics Statement
Citation policy: sources must be clearly cited; excessive self-citation is prohibited. Model summary
MDPI is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We fully adhere to its Code of Conduct and to its Best Practice Guidelines. The editors of this journal enforce a rigorous peer review process together with strict ethical policies and standards to ensure to add high quality scientific works to the field of scholarly publication. Unfortunately, cases of plagiarism, data falsification,…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright / Open Access
Articles published in Microplastics will be Open-Access articles distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The copyright is retained by the author(s). MDPI will insert the following note at the end of the published text: © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publication fees
If you transfer your manuscript to another open access (OA) journal, you will be charged an Article Processing Charge (APC) if your article is accepted for publication. The APC for each journal can be found on the individual journal’s website. For more information about APCs, please see here.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Editorial Process and Peer Review
All submissions are thoroughly peer-reviewed by experts within the field and undergo a structured editorial workflow designed to ensure quality, transparency, and scientific integrity. The full editorial procedure is available on the Editorial Process page and is also provided below. Pre-check Pre-check consists of a technical pre-check performed by the Editorial Office and an editorial pre-check …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints and Conference Papers
Originality: manuscripts must not be published previously or under consideration elsewhere. Model summary
Microplastics accepts submissions that have previously been made available as preprints provided that they have not undergone peer review. A preprint is a draft version of a paper made available online before submission to a journal. MDPI operates Preprints, a preprint server to which submitted papers can be uploaded directly after completing journal submission. Note that Preprints operates indepe…
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Country or region
- Switzerland
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2673-8929
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 5 (2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Aims & Scope ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
- APC information ↗DOAJ
- Fee waivers ↗DOAJ
- Open access statement ↗DOAJ
- License & copyright ↗DOAJ
- Peer review process ↗LetPub
- Editorial board ↗LetPub
- Plagiarism policy ↗DOAJ
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Microplastics
What CAS zone is Microplastics in?
In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Environmental Science & Ecology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Microplastics?
The journal's website gives an impact factor of 4.8 (2025); this is the journal's own figure, as LetPub lists none for it; CiteScore 7.7, h-index 30.
How long does peer review take at Microplastics?
Authors report an average review time of about 6 weeks. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What JCR quartile is Microplastics in?
The journal's website gives JCR Q2; by category, Environmental Sciences Q2. JCR quartiles are Clarivate's to confirm and a different system from the CAS zones.
What are the manuscript requirements of Microplastics?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 200 words; Reference style: Author–date; Templates: LaTeX and Word; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Suggested reviewers: Required; Graphical abstract: Optional; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Microplastics based?
Of the 30 board members whose country the journal's board page names, none are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Italy (10), Spain (4) and United Kingdom (3). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Microplastics?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Microplastics is indexed in ESCI, Scopus and DOAJ. The journal's website also lists Web of Science; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Microplastics open access, and what is the APC?
Microplastics is a fully open-access journal. APC charged, amount not published.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex, DOAJ; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .