Microplastics in Marine Ecosystem: Sources, Risks, Mitigation Technologies, and Challenges

Description

This book addresses pertinent issues relating to microplastic pollution including its sources and sink of the microplastics and their environmental fate. It focuses on the impacts of microplastic pollution on marine life and human health. Available conventional methods and future solutions for the prevention and control of the marine microplastic pollution, such as bacterial and marine fungus biodegradation, membrane technology, and bioengineered microbes are included along with limitations and future challenges. Features Provides detailed insight into the marine microplastics pollution, fate, health impacts, and removal technology. Reviews ecological risks and environmental fate of microplastic pollution to the marine ecosystem. Describes control and prevention methods of the microplastics pollution. Covers global legislature for the mitigation of microplastic to the marine environment. Discusses the role of community participation for the reduction of microplastic emissions. This book is aimed at researchers and professionals in environmental engineering, science, and chemistry, marine pollution, marine and aquatic science. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents About the Authors Preface List of Abbreviations and Acronyms Chapter 1 Sources and Sinks of Microplastics 1.1 What are Microplastics? 1.1.1 Definitions 1.1.2 Distribution and Composition 1.1.3 Classification of Microplastics 1.1.3.1 Classification according to Size 1.1.3.2 Nanoplastics 1.1.3.3 Classification according to Origin 1.2 What are the Significant Emission Pathways ofMicroplastics into the Environment? 1.3 Sink of Microplastics: Where do MicroplasticsAccumulate? 1.4 How are Source and Target Regions Interrelated? 1.5 Relation between Microplastics Properties and Transport 1.6 Is Microplastic a Persistent Pollutant? 1.7 Global Trend 1.8 Summary References Chapter 2 Analytical Methods for the Identification and Assessmentof Microplastics 2.1 Sampling 2.1.1 Selective Sampling 2.1.2 Bulk Sampling 2.1.3 Volume-Reduced Sampling 2.2 Separation of Microplastics from Samples 2.2.1 Filtration or Sieving 2.2.2 Density Separation 2.2.3 Other Methods 2.3 Preprocessing 2.3.1 Removal of Organic and Biological Matter 2.4 Identification 2.4.1 Visual Detection 2.4.2 Spectroscopic Detection 2.4.3 Thermal Detection 2.4.4 Emerging Identification Methods 2.5 Assuring quality in Microplastic Monitoring 2.6 Summary References Chapter 3 Ecological Risks and Environmental Fate of Microplastic Pollution 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Plastics used in the Marine Environment 3.3 Microplastics in the Marine Ecosystem 3.4 Ecological risks of the Microplastics to Marine Life 3.4.1 Physical effects of Microplastics to Marine Organisms 3.4.2 Toxicity of Ingested Microplastics 3.4.3 Transfer of Microplastics along the Food Chain 3.5 Nanoplastics in the Oceans 3.6 Major Gaps in the Current Knowledge 3.7 Perspectives for Future Studies 3.8 Summary References Chapter 4 Human Health impacts of Microplastics Pollution 4.1 Human Exposure to Microplastics Pollution 4.2 Microplastics’ Presence in Seafood 4.3 Nanoplastics’ Presence in Food 4.4 Food Security 4.5 Toxicity to Humans 4.5.1 Physical effects of Microplastics Exposure 4.5.2 Effects of Chemical Additives 4.6 Microplastics as a Potential Source of Human Pathogensin the Marine Environment 4.7 Effects of Microplastics on Human Health 4.8 Epidemiology 4.9 Control Measures 4.10 Summary References Chapter 5 Biodegradation of Microplastics by Microbes 5.1 Microorganisms involved in Microplastic Degradation 5.1.1 Bacterial-Mediated Microplastic Degradation 5.1.1.1 Bacterial Strains capable of DegradingMicroplastics 5.1.2 Fungal-Mediated Microplastic Degradation 5.1.2.1 Examples 5.1.2.2 Fungi Associated with PolyethyleneMicroplastics Degradation 5.2 Mechanisms involved in the Biodegradationof Microplastics 5.2.1 Microbial Enzymes involved in the Degradationof Microplastics 5.3 Use of Bacterial Biofilms in Microplastic Degradation 5.4 Factors affecting the Application 5.5 Future Prospects 5.6 Summary References Chapter 6 Potential removal of the Microplastics in Marine Environment by Membrane Technology: Limitations and Future Solutions 6.1 Use of Membrane Technology to Address Microplastic Pollution 6.1.1 Reverse Osmosis 6.1.2 Ultrafiltration 6.1.3 Dynamic Membrane Technology 6.1.4 Membrane Bioreactor 6.1.5 Polymeric Membranes 6.2 How Membrane Technology can Reduce Microplastics in Marine Environment 6.3 Reuse and Recycling of Polymeric Membranes of Bioreactors 6.4 Examples 6.5 Limitations of Current Methods and Infrastructure 6.6 Future Solutions and Scope 6.7 Summary References Chapter 7 Recent Bioengineering advances in the Plastic Biodegradation and Future Challenges 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Bioengineering of the Microbes for the Enzymesthat Degrade Natural Polymers 7.3 Bioengineering of the Microbes for the Production of Biopolymers 7.4 Future Research Directions 7.5 Summary References Chapter 8 Biopolymers as an Alternative to the Conventional Plastics 8.1 What are Biopolymers? 8.1.1 Why are Biopolymers Needed? 8.2 Biopolymers 8.2.1 Bio-based vs Petrochemical-based Polymers 8.2.2 Protein as a Biopolymer 8.2.2.1 Collagen and Gelatin 8.2.2.2 Silk 8.2.3 Polysaccharides 8.2.3.1 Starch 8.2.3.2 Cellulose 8.2.3.3 Chitin/Chitosan 8.2.4 Polyhydroxyalkanoates 8.3 Biodegradability and Compostability 8.4 Microbes as the Source of Biopolymers 8.5 Plants as the Source of Biopolymers 8.6 Products Based on Biopolymers currently in Market 8.7 Future Prospects and Limitations to Overcome 8.8 Summary References Chapter 9 Global Legislature for the Mitigation of Microplastics in the Marine Environment 9.1 International Regulatory Bodies and Regulations 9.2 Regional Regulatory Bodies and Regulations 9.3 Regulatory Bodies and Regulations in India 9.4 Impact of the Consumer Voice and Behavior on Policy Developments 9.5 Impact of the Industrial Practices on Policy Framework 9.6 Need to Prioritize and change Regulations based onInnovations and Impact on Marine Environment 9.7 Conclusions and Future Outlook 9.8 Summary References Chapter 10 Role of Community Participation for the Reduction of Microplastic Emissions 10.1 Why is Reduction of Microplastic Emissions Important? 10.2 How Can Community Participation Reduce Microplastic Emissions? 10.2.1 Reducing the Consumption of Plastic 10.2.2 Raising Awareness in Public through Education 10.2.3 Role of the Research 10.2.4 Role of NGOs 10.2.5 Role of the Media and Social Networks 10.3 Improving Production Efficiency of Plastic Products 10.4 Reducing Microplastics through Proper Disposalof Plastic Waste 10.5 Recycling 10.6 Recommendations 10.7 The Way Ahead 10.8 Summary References Chapter 11 Recent Cutting-edge Solutions to Prevent Microplastics Pollution 11.1 Prevention Technologies 11.2 Collection Technologies 11.3 Summary References Index