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Elsevier

Microplastics in Freshwater

Understanding Contamination and Solutions

  • 1st Edition - June 1, 2027
  • Latest edition
  • Author: Daniel Elias
  • Language: English

Microplastics in Freshwater: Understanding Contamination and Solutions explores the increasing environmental threat of microplastics and their interactions with pharma… Read more

Description

Microplastics in Freshwater: Understanding Contamination and Solutions explores the increasing environmental threat of microplastics and their interactions with pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and elevated salinity in freshwater environments. This book provides a comprehensive overview of microplastic sources, pathways, and detection methodologies, along with an in-depth examination of their toxicological and ecological consequences. By highlighting contaminant interactions, behavioral responses, and long-term environmental risks, this work advances our understanding of microplastic pollution and its broader implications. Designed for environmental science students and researchers as well as practitioners in the field, this book offers a thorough understanding of the challenges facing freshwater ecosystems and the scientific approaches necessary to evaluate and address this growing environmental issue; it synthesizes peer-reviewed research to offer practical insights into microplastic risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

Key features

  • Offers fundamental knowledge on microplastic pollution in freshwater systems, making it a specialized resource for students and researchers tackling freshwater pollution
  • Provides a novel perspective on how microplastics interact with other common contaminants, offering valuable insights into multi-stressor ecotoxicology
  • Includes a comprehensive, research-backed assessment of microplastic impacts on freshwater organisms with peer-reviewed studies, laboratory-based findings, and an emphasis on contaminant avoidance behavior, movement, growth, and reproductive effects

Readership

Students, Environmental Scientists

Table of contents

Part 1 - Introduction to Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems

1. Overview of microplastic pollution in freshwater environments

2. Sources, pathways, and environmental distribution

3. Importance of studying microplastics in freshwater systems

Part 2 - Detection and Analytical Techniques

4. Spectroscopy, microscopy, and chemical analysis methods

5. Advances in microplastic quantification and identification

6. Challenges in microplastic detection and standardization

Part 3 - Ecotoxicology of Microplastics in Freshwater Organisms

7. Impact on mollusks (e.g. Physella, Lymnaea, Dreissena)

8. Responses in crustaceans (e.g. Daphnia, Procambarus, Gammarus)

9. Effects on benthic and planktonic invertebrates (e.g. Chironomidae, Oligochaeta)

10. Microplastic effects on freshwater fish (e.g. Carassius, Danio, Perca)

11. Impacts on amphibians (e.g. Rana, Ambystoma)

Part 4 - Toxicological and Ecological Consequences

12. Oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and hormonal disruptions

13. Contaminant avoidance behavior and energy trade-offs

14. Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer

15. Microplastic size and shape effects on ingestion and toxicity

16. Long-term and multi-generational impacts

17. Statistical approaches for ecotoxicology: data assessment, dose-response modeling, effect size calculations, Bayesian modeling

Part 5 - Microplastic Interactions with Other Freshwater Contaminants

18. Co-exposure with pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and PFAS

19. Synergistic and antagonistic toxicological effects

20. Influence of environmental factors (e.g., pH, temperature, salinity) on toxicity

Part 6 - Regulatory Frameworks and Policy Considerations

21. International and national freshwater microplastic regulations

22. Challenges in policy implementation and enforcement

23. Advances in legislative efforts and governance strategies

Part 7 - Mitigation Strategies and Future Research

24. Biodegradation, filtration, and removal technologies

25. Research gaps and future directions in freshwater microplastic ecotoxicology

26. The role of statistical modeling in improving ecotoxicological assessments

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: June 1, 2027
  • Language: English

About the author

Daniel Elias

Author
Dr. Daniel Elias is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science, specializing in ecotoxicology and the effects of microplastics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and elevated salinity in freshwater ecosystems. His research focuses on the physiological and ecological impacts of these contaminants on invertebrates and fish, using laboratory-based experiments to assess toxicity mechanisms. Dr. Elias investigates how multiple stressors influence aquatic organisms, particularly in relation to growth, reproduction, movement, and predator avoidance behavior. His work contributes to a deeper understanding of how pollutants interact in freshwater environments and their broader ecological consequences. In addition to his research, Dr. Elias is an experienced educator who mentors students in environmental science, guiding them in experimental design and data interpretation. His work aims to inform mitigation strategies and regulatory policies to address the challenges of freshwater contamination.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor of Environmental Science, North Carolina Wesleyan University, NC, USA