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

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.

Chapter 1 Sources and Sinks of Microplastics1.1 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 Origin1.2 What are the Significant Emission Pathways of Microplastics into the Environment? 1.3 Sink of Microplastics: Where do Microplastics Accumulate?1.4 How are Source and Target Regions Interrelated?1.5 Relation between Microplastics Properties and Transport1.6 Is Microplastic a Persistent Pollutant?1.7 Global Trend1.8 SummaryReferences Chapter 2 Analytical Methods for the Identification and Assessment of Microplastics2.1 Sampling 2.1.1 Selective Sampling 2.1.2 Bulk Sampling 2.1.3 Volume-Reduced Sampling2.2 Separation of Microplastics from Samples 2.2.1 Filtration or Sieving 2.2.2 Density Separation 2.2.3 Other Methods2.3 Preprocessing 2.3.1 Removal of Organic and Biological Matter2.4 Identification 2.4.1 Visual Detection 2.4.2 Spectroscopic Detection 2.4.3 Thermal Detection 2.4.4 Emerging Identification Methods2.5 Assuring quality in Microplastic Monitoring2.6 SummaryReferences Chapter 3 Ecological Risks and Environmental Fate of Microplastic Pollution 3.1 Introduction3.2 Plastics used in the Marine Environment3.3 Microplastics in the Marine Ecosystem3.4 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 Chain3.5 Nanoplastics in the Oceans3.6 Major Gaps in the Current Knowledge3.7 Perspectives for Future Studies3.8 SummaryReferences Chapter 4 Human Health Impacts of Microplastics Pollution4.1 Human Exposure to Microplastic Pollution4.2 Microplastics’ Presence in Seafood4.3 Nanoplastics’ Presence in Food4.4 Food Security4.5 Toxicity to Humans 4.5.1 Physical effects of Microplastics Exposure 4.5.2 Effects of Chemical Additives4.6 Microplastics as a Potential Source of Human Pathogens in the Marine Environment4.7 Effects of Microplastics on Human Health4.8 Epidemiology4.9 Control Measures4.10 SummaryReferences Chapter 5 Biodegradation of Microplastics by Microbes5.1 Microorganisms involved in Microplastic Degradation 5.1.1.1 Bacterial-Mediated Microplastic Degradation 5.1.2 Fungal-Mediated Microplastic Degradation 5.1.2.1 Examples 5.1.2.2 Fungi Associated with Polyethylene Microplastics Degradation5.2 Mechanisms involved in the Biodegradation of Microplastics 5.2.1 Microbial Enzymes involved in the Degradation of Microplastics5.3 Use of Bacterial Biofilms in Microplastics Degradation5.4 Factors affecting the Application5.5 Future prospects5.6 SummaryReferences Chapter 6 Potential removal of the Microplastics in Marine Environment by Membrane Technology: Limitations and Future Solutions6.1 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 Environment6.3 Reuse and Recycling of Polymeric Membranes or Bioreactors6.4 Examples6.5 Limitations of Current Methods and Infrastructure6.6 Future Solutions and Scope6.7 SummaryReferences Chapter 7 Recent Bioengineering Advances in the Plastic Biodegradation and Future Challenges7.1 Introduction7.2 Bioengineering of the Microbes for the Enzymes that Degrade Natural Polymers7.3 Bioengineering of the Microbes for the Production of Biopolymers7.4 Future Research Directions7.5 SummaryReferences Chapter 8 Biopolymers as an Alternative to the Conventional Plastics8.1 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 Compostability8.4 Microbes as the Source of Biopolymers8.5 Plants as the Source of Biopolymers8.6 Products based on Biopolymers Currently in Market8.7 Future Prospects and Limitations to Overcome8.8 SummaryReferences Chapter 9 Global Legislature for the mitigation of Microplastic to the Marine Environment9.1 International Regulatory Bodies and Regulations9.2 Regional Regulatory Bodies and Regulations9.3 Regulatory Bodies and Regulations in India9.4 Impact of the Consumer Voice and Behavior on the Policy Developments9.5 Impact of the Industrial Practices on the Polices Framework9.6 Need to Prioritize and change Regulations based on Innovations and Impact on Marine Environment9.7 Conclusions and Future Outlook9.8 SummaryReferences Chapter 10 Role of Community Participation for the Reduction of Microplastic Emissions10.1 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 Networks10.3 Improving Production Efficiency of Plastic Products10.4 Reducing Microplastics through Proper Disposal of Plastics Waste10.5 Recycling10.6 Recommendations10.7 The Way Ahead10.8 SummaryReferences Chapter 11 Recent Cutting-edge Solutions to Prevent Microplastics Pollution11.1 Prevention Technologies 11.2 Collection Technologies11.3 SummaryReferences Index

Shobhika Parmar is Ph.D. in Environment Science from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, India. She recently served as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. She also received the Yunnan Provincial Government Funding in China (2019). She has more than eleven years of research experience, focused on environmental issues and problems, remediation strategies. She has about 25 publications in journals of international repute and book chapters in edited books. Vijay Kumar Sharma received his Ph.D. degree from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India and completed two years of Post-Doctoral Research in Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. Currently, he is serving as a visiting scientist at Agricultural Research Organization - Volcani Centre, Israel. He has more than fourteen years of research experience. His research interest is in the bio-potential applications of endophytes and their mechanism. He also has a keen interest in emerging environmental issues and mitigation, and works on few collaborative projects on the same area. Dr. Sharma has published more than 50 research articles and book chapters in journals of international, and edited four books. He is also active as a reviewer and guest editor of some reputed journals. He has also actively participated in many national and international conferences, symposia and workshops related to his research field in India, China and Cyprus. Vir Singh is currently serving as an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, India. He has more than three decades experience in teaching, research, extension, project execution, and research supervision. He has been educated and trained in many universities and institutes in India and has also worked with many reputed organizations outside India, including International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) based in Kathmandu, Nepal, Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) in Israel, and Friedrich-Schiller University in Germany. Prof. Vir Singh has published 55 books, many monographs, lab manuals, and more than 250 research papers, book chapters, and popular articles. His textbook on Environmental Plant Physiology (Taylor and Francis, CRC Press, 2020) brings to the fore a botanical strategy for a climate-smart planet. He is also a Climate Reality Leader committed to creating awareness about the ongoing climate change and its long-term implications on every walk of life. He is also actively engaged in environmental writing. His articles on vital contemporary issues are being widely published in English and Hindi dailies and e-magazines.