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

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