Microplastics: Analytical Challenges and Environmental Impacts

Description

This book introduces the growing problem of microplastics pollution in the soil and aquatic environment and its interaction with other chemical pollutants. Further, it provides a detailed review of existing analysis techniques for characterization, separation, and quantification of microplastics including their merits and demerits with possible suggestions. Additionally, the regulatory need and actions for improving the economic and quality of plastic recycling, curbing microplastic littering, and stakeholders, researchers, and recyclers challenges are reviewed comprehensively. Priorities are identified to bridge the knowledge gaps for appropriate management of existing challenges. Features: Provides a comprehensive description of the fate and environmental impact of microplastics, along with various characterization methods Overviews the interaction of microplastics with other toxic chemicals and further their transportation in environment Explains how microplastics enter in environment and its effect on biota and human health Analyses existing analytical techniques for characterization of microplastics Describes societal awareness related to use of plastic and discarding This book focusses on graduate students, researchers in environmental engineering, ecological engineering, chemical and biological engineering, plastics and material sciences/engineering, waste management. materials science. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Preface Contributors Editor Chapter 1 Emergence, Chemical Nature, Classification, Environmental Impact, and Analytical Challenges of Various Plastics 1.1 A Historical Perspective of Plastics 1.2 Chemical Nature and Synthesis Routes of Plastics 1.2.1 The Chemistry of Chain Reaction Polymerization 1.2.1.1 Chemistry of Free-Radical Polymerization 1.2.1.2 Chemistry of Ionic Polymerization 1.2.1.3 Chemistry of Coordination Polymerization 1.2.2 Chemistry of Step Reaction Polymerization 1.3 Types or Classification of Plastics 1.3.1 Classification Based on Chemical Structure, Crosslinking, and/ or Base Material 1.3.1.1 Thermoplastic 1.3.1.2 Elastomers 1.3.1.3 Thermosets 1.3.1.4 Polymer Compounds 1.3.2 Classification Based on Application of Material 1.3.2.1 Standard or Commodity Plastics 1.3.2.2 Engineering Plastics 1.3.2.3 Special Plastics 1.3.2.4 High-Performance Plastics 1.4 Environmental Impact and Analytical Challenges; an Overview Acknowledgment References Chapter 2 Laws, Regulations or Policy Tools to Govern Macroplastics, Mesoplastics, Microplastics and Nanoplastics 2.1 Laws, Regulations or Policy Tools at Regional or National Levels 2.1.1 Laws, Regulations or Policy Tools in Asia 2.1.2 Laws, Regulations or Policy Tools in Africa 2.1.3 Laws, Regulations or Policy Tools in Europe and Oceania 2.1.4 Laws, Regulations or Policy Tools in Central, South and North America 2.2 Laws, Regulations or Policy Tools as Collective Efforts 2.2.1 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 2.2.2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United Nations Environment Programme 2.2.3 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 2.2.4 UNEP's Draft Resolution on Marine Litter and Microplastics 2.2.5 EURATEX 2.2.6 United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2.2.7 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic 2.2.8 UNEP's Regional Seas Conventions 2.2.9 Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission ( Helsinki Commission - HELCOM) 2.2.10 WTO Notifications under the TBT Agreement for Prevention of Microplastic Pollution 2.2.11 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 2.2.12 Global Partnership of Marine Litter 2.2.13 Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 2.2.14 Convention on Biological Diversity 2.2.15 Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) 2.2.16 Stockholm Convention 2.3 Policy Considerations and Recommendations Acknowledgments References Chapter 3 Degradation Pathways of Various Plastics 3.1 Photo-Oxidative Degradation 3.2 Thermal Degradation of Plastics 3.3 Chemical Degradation of Plastics 3.4 Mechanical Degradation of Plastics 3.5 Atmospheric Oxidation and Hydrolytic Degradation 3.6 Biotic Degradation of Plastics Acknowledgments References Chapter 4 Interaction of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants with Microplastics 4.1 Interaction of Inorganic Pollutants with Microplastics 4.1.1 Mechanism of Interaction of Inorganic Pollutants with Microplastics 4.1.1.1 Electrostatic Interactions 4.1.1.2 Sorption, Bioaccumulation, Complexation, and Co-precipitation 4.1.2 Factors Effecting the Interaction of Inorganic Pollutants with Microplastics 4.1.2.1 Effect of the Physicochemical Characteristics of Microplastics 4.1.2.2 Effect of Chemical Properties of Inorganic Pollutants 4.1.2.3 Effect of Environmental Factors 4.2 Interaction of Organic Pollutants with Microplastics 4.2.1 Mechanism of Interaction of Organic Pollutants with Microplastics 4.2.1.1 Electrostatic Interactions 4.2.1.2 Hydrophobic Interactions and Partition Effect 4.2.1.3 Hydrogen Bonding, Halogen Bonding, π–π Interactions and van der Waals Forces 4.2.2 Factors Effecting the Interaction of Organic Pollutants with Microplastics 4.2.2.1 Effect of the Physicochemical Characteristics of Microplastics 4.2.2.2 Effect of Properties of Organic Pollutants 4.2.2.3 Effect of Environmental Factors Acknowledgments References Chapter 5 Impacts of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Biota 5.1 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Plant and Soil Characteristics 5.2 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Invertebrates 5.2.1 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Poriferans 5.2.2 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Cnidarians 5.2.3 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Annelids 5.2.4 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Echinoderms 5.2.5 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Arthropods 5.2.6 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Mollusk 5.3 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Vertebrates 5.3.1 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Amphibians 5.3.2 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Reptiles 5.3.3 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Fish 5.3.4 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Birds 5.3.5 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Mammals 5.3.5.1 Impact on Seals and Sea Otters 5.3.5.2 Impact on Whales 5.3.5.3 Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health Acknowledgments References Chapter 6 Collection of Microplastics and Nanoplastics from Various Environments and Associated Challenges 6.1 Sampling Methods for Microplastics and Nanoplastics 6.1.1 Selective Sampling 6.1.2 Bulk Samples 6.1.3 Volume-Reduced Samples 6.2 Aquatic Sampling of Microplastics and Nanoplastics 6.2.1 Non-discrete Sampling Devices 6.2.1.1 Nets as Sampling Device 6.2.1.2 Pumping Systems 6.2.2 Discrete Sampling Devices 6.2.3 Sampling Devices for the Surface Microlayer 6.3 Sediments Sampling of Microplastics and Nanoplastics 6.4 Atmospheric Sampling of Microplastics and Nanoplastics Acknowledgments References Chapter 7 Separation of Microplastics and Nanoplastics from Various Environments and Associated Challenges 7.1 Separation of Microplastics from Water Samples by Various Techniques and Associated Challenges 7.1.1 Filtration as Separation Technique 7.1.2 Sieving as Separation Technique 7.2 Separation of Microplastics from Sediment Samples by Various Techniques and Associated Challenges 7.2.1 Density-Based Separation Technique 7.2.2 Elutriation as Separation Technique 7.2.3 Froth Flotation and Oil Film Separation Techniques 7.3 Separation of Microplastics from Biological Samples by Various Techniques and Associated Challenges 7.3.1 Visual Identification as Separation Technique 7.3.2 Chemical and Enzymatic Digestion 7.4 Separation of Microplastics from Atmospheric Samples by Various Techniques and Associated Challenges Acknowledgments References Chapter 8 Identification of Microplastics and Nanoplastics and Associated Analytical Challenges 8.1 Scanning Electron Microscope as an Identification Tool and Associated Challenges 8.2 Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry as Identification Tool and Associated Challenges 8.3 Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy as an Identification Tool and Associated Analytical Challenges 8.4 Raman Spectroscopy as an Identification Tool and Associated Analytical Challenges 8.5 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy as an Identification Tool and Associated Analytical Challenges 8.6 MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry as an Identification Tool and Associated Analytical Challenges Acknowledgments References Index