Microplastics

Origins, Risks, and Mitigation

1st Edition - October 17, 2024
Editors: Baljinder Singh, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 9 8 0 4 - 2
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 9 8 0 5 - 9

Microplastics: Origins, Risks, and Mitigation discusses the sources, origin, and health risk assessment of microplastics in the environment. The various contamination indices,… Read more

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Microplastics: Origins, Risks, and Mitigation discusses the sources, origin, and health risk assessment of microplastics in the environment. The various contamination indices, like contamination factor, atmospheric behavior, enrichment factor, and marine pollution are also included to provide further context on the state of microplastics in the environment and environmental impacts. The book present reviews on microplastics toxicology research, health hazards, and green remedial solutions for pollution control in terrestrial and aquatic environments, aiming to provide scientists and researchers with the knowledge to combat microplastic pollutants through sustainable means.

Covering a variety of approaches, techniques, and scenarios, this book is a key resource for environmental scientists working to address microplastic environmental pollutants. It presents reviews on microplastics toxicology research, health hazards, and green remedial solutions for pollution control in terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Title of Book
Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
About the editors
Preface
Section I: Introduction
Chapter 1. Microplastics contamination in soil, water, air, and environmental health risk assessment
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Current status of microplastic pollution
1.3 Origin and sources of microplastics
1.4 Impact of microplastics
1.5 Effects of microplastics in soil
1.6 Effects of microplastics in water
1.7 Ecological risk of air pollutants
1.8 Future prospects
1.9 Conclusion
References
Chapter 2. Microplastics in the food chain
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Types of microplastics
2.3 Synthetic polymer as a source of microplastics
2.4 Route of human exposure to synthetic polymers
2.5 Impact of microplastics on food chain
2.6 Impacts of microplastics on various environmental conditions
2.7 Effect of microplastics on humans
2.8 Protocol for remediation of microplastics
2.9 Conclusion
References
Section II: Microplastics interactions with terrestrial environment and aquatic environment
Chapter 3. Toxic effects of micro and nanoplastics on living system and recent advances in understanding their degradation routes
Abstract
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Effect of microplastics/nanoplastics on growth and metabolism of various organisms
3.3 Methods used in degrading different forms of plastics
3.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 4. Microplastics in soil—uptake, fate, transport, and effect on the growth of plants
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Impacts of microplastics on soil
4.3 Sources of microplastics in soil
4.4 Distribution and fate of microplastics in soil
4.5 Uptake of microplastics by plants
4.6 Transport of microplastics in plants
4.7 Effect of microplastics on the growth of plants
4.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 5. Microplastics: toxicity and tolerance in plants
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Cytogenotoxic effects of microplastics toxicity on plants
5.3 Microplastic bio-ecological and toxicological effects on plants
5.4 Microplastics enrichment and toxicity in soil system
5.5 Toxicity impacts of microplastics on plant-soil-microbe network
5.6 Alteration in physical characteristics of soil
5.7 Stress in nutrient mobilization
5.8 Impact on Rhizospheres’ microbial diversity
5.9 Bioremediation of microplastics by soil organism
5.10 Effects of microplastic toxicity on morphological and physiological parameters of plants
5.11 Effects on growth and biomass
5.12 Effects on photosynthetic performance
5.13 Effects on seed germination
5.14 Effects on metabolism and enzyme activity
5.15 Enhanced toxicity of microplastics by degradation into nanoplastics
5.16 Entry pathways of nanoplastics, their internalization in tissues, and translocation
5.17 Foliar stoma pathway for airborne nanoplastics
5.18 Wounds or mechanical injury
5.19 Root pathway for nanoplastics accumulated in soil
5.20 Nanoplastics internalization through root structure
5.21 Microplastics (nanoplastics) toxicity in wheat
5.22 Conclusion and future prospective
References
Chapter 6. Effect of microplastics on the biochemistry of plant
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Source of microplastics
6.3 Entry and route of microplastics into plants
6.4 Microplastic influence on plant biochemistry
6.5 Methods to detect microplastic accumulation
6.6 Conclusion
6.7 Scope
6.8 Future outlooks and challenges
References
Chapter 7. Microplastics in the atmosphere: transportation and impact on humans
Abstract
Abbreviations
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Sources and characteristics of microplastics in the atmosphere
7.3 Transportation and distribution of microplastics in the atmosphere
7.4 Distribution of MPs in the atmosphere
7.5 Impact of microplastics in the atmosphere on human health
7.6 Conclusions and future research directions
References
Further reading
Chapter 8. Microplastics contamination in marine system
Abstract
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Source, prevalence, and marine distribution of microplastics
8.3 Adverse impact of microplastics on marine ecosystem
8.4 Gathering and assessment of marine microplastics
8.5 Analytical approaches for characterization of microplastics
8.6 Control of microplastic contamination in marine ecosystem
8.7 Techniques for the separation of microplastics from marine environment
8.8 Conclusion
Acknowledgment
Funding
Conflict of interest
References
Chapter 9. Microplastics toxicity in aquatic animals
Abstract
Abbreviations
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Sources and concentration of microplastics in the aquatic environment
9.3 Toxicological effects of microplastics on aquatic animals
9.4 Effects of microplastics properties on aquatic animals
9.5 Conclusions and future research
References
Chapter 10. Effects of microplastics on coastal planktonic community
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Challenges for phytoplankton communities in the marine ecosystem
10.3 Effects of phytoplankton decline: consequences in marine ecosystems
10.4 Plastic and microplastic in marine ecosystem
10.5 Methods to study the phytoplankton and microplastic interaction
10.6 Statistical methods to enumerate the phytoplankton communities
10.7 Diatoms: a model to study the effect of microplastics on phytoplankton
10.8 Effect of microplastic on other microalgae
10.9 Assessment of microplastic toxicity on other phytoplanktons
10.10 Summary and future perspective
References
Section III: Microplastics contaminations: Recent advances and future prospective
Chapter 11. Conventional and advanced management techniques and policies adopted at the global level for microplastics
Abstract
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Microplastics in aquatic bodies
11.3 Microplastics in soil
11.4 Microplastics in air
11.5 Waste Management using the 4Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover plastics
11.6 Redesigning plastics for circularity
11.7 Use of bioplastics
11.8 Government policies adopted at the global level for reduction of microplastics
References
Chapter 12. Microplastics and toxic leachate from littered cigarette butts threaten the environment, biodiversity, and human well-being
Abstract
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Observations and discussions
12.3 Conclusion and future research perspectives
References
Chapter 13. Challenges associated with preventive measures and environmentally acceptable techniques to control microplastics
Abstract
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Difficulties associated with mitigation strategies for microplastics
13.3 Environmentally accepted techniques to control MPs
13.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 14. Future trends that can be used for MP removals
Abstract
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Insights into potential future trends in microplastic removal
14.3 Conclusion
References
Chapter 15. Bioplastics/biodegradable plastics: a sustainable approach to plastic and their waste management
Abstract
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Biodegradable (natural) plastics
15.3 Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)
15.4 Synthetic/fossil fuel-based biodegradable plastics
15.5 Overviews
References
Chapter 16. Microplastics: impact on marine animals and their remediation strategies
Abstract
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Microplastics in aquatic ecosystem
16.3 Microplastic toxicity on aquatic animals
16.4 Types of toxicity to aquatic organisms
16.5 Techniques for assessing microplastic in aquatic organisms
16.6 Removal and remediation of microplastics (MPs) from aquatic ecosystem
16.7 Future perspectives
References
Chapter 17. Effect of microplastics on seed storage proteins of plants
Abstract
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems
17.3 Pathways of microplastic entry into terrestrial environments
17.4 Uptake and translocation of microplastics in plants
17.5 Impact on seed storage proteins
17.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 18. Various conventional and advanced management techniques and policies adopted at the global level for microplastics
Abstract
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Conventional management techniques
18.3 Advanced management techniques
18.4 Global policies for microplastics management
18.5 Future directions and recommendations
18.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 19. Challenges associated with preventive measures and environmentally acceptable techniques to control microplastics
Abstract
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Complexity of microplastic pollution pathway
19.3 Challenges in preventive measures
19.4 Environmentally acceptable techniques for microplastic control
19.5 Socioeconomic factors and adoption challenges of microplastic control
19.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 20. Microplastics occurrence, contamination, and effects on human health—a critical review
Abstract
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Sources and usage of plastics, microplastics
20.3 Contamination of microplastics
20.4 Microplastic contamination in human food
20.5 Effect of microplastics on human health
20.6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 21. Impact of microplastics on economic condition in underdeveloped nations
Abstract
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Sources and occurrence of microplastics
21.3 Mismanagement of plastic waste
21.4 Status and prevalence of microplastics pollution in underdeveloped countries
21.5 Economic impacts of microplastics pollution
21.6 Strategies used by developed countries to overcome microplastic pollution and problems associated
21.7 Global collaborations
21.8 Learnings from the strategies of developed countries for controlling microplastic contamination
Acknowledgment
References
Chapter 22. Chemical, physical, and biological techniques to remove microplastics
Abstract
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Chemical-based techniques for removal of microplastics
22.3 Physical-based techniques for the removal of microplastics
22.4 Biological-based techniques for the removal of microplastics
22.5 Conclusion
References
Index

Baljinder Singh

Dr. Baljinder Singh is working as an Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India. He perused his master’s degrees in biotechnology from Punjabi University, Patiala. He completed his Ph.D. from Panjab University, Chandigarh. His research has focused primarily on Applied microbial and plant Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology with main emphasis on microbial remediation of pollutants, Biofuel production, and Effluent treatment technology, microplastic contamination in soil and its effect on plants. He has published nearly 53 articles/review papers in journals/books of international repute. He delivered several invited lectures in the institutes of national repute. He had enveloped e-content and delivered seven modules (Lectures) in the field of Environmental Nanotechnology for the paper NanoBiotechnology, under epgPathshala project of MHRD, Govt. of India.

Affiliations and expertise

Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India

Santosh Kumar Upadhyay

Dr. Upadhyay is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. He has been working in the field of Plant Biotechnology for more than 16 years. He is currently working in functional genomics. His research group at PU has characterized numerous important defence-related protein families such as receptor-like kinases, antioxidant enzymes, calcium transporters, chitinases, lectins, etc. They are also characterizing long non-coding RNAs related to the abiotic and biotic stress response. He has authored more than 130 publications including research papers in leading journals of international repute, national and international patents, book chapters and books. He has been awarded the NAAS Young scientist award (2017-18) and NAAS-Associate (2018) from the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India, INSA Medal for Young Scientist (2013) from the Indian National Science Academy, India, NASI- Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award (2012) from the National Academy of Sciences, India, and Altech Young Scientist Award (2011).

Affiliations and expertise

Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health