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Micro/nano-plastics occurrence, identification, risk analysis and mitigation: challenges and perspectives.
Boda Ravi Kiran1, Harishankar Kopperi1,2, S Venkata Mohan1,2
1Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, 500007 India.
Re/Views in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology
|February 1, 2022
Summary
Micro/nanoplastics (MP/NPs) are persistent global pollutants found everywhere, posing significant ecological threats. This review examines their sources, environmental impacts, detection, and mitigation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Micro/nanoplastics (MP/NPs) are pervasive global pollutants originating from primary products or secondary fragmentation.
- Their persistence, non-degradability, and accumulation pose significant environmental and ecotoxicological risks.
- MP/NPs are increasingly recognized as a major environmental issue, impacting air, soil, water, and food.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of MP/NPs occurrence, mobility, aggregation, and degradation.
- To provide perspectives on MP/NPs concerning their sources, distribution, properties, and ecological impacts.
- To discuss techniques for MP/NPs detection and identification, and strategies for management and mitigation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific communications on MP/NPs.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on MP/NPs in various environmental compartments.
- Analysis of MP/NPs impact on ecosystem services and food chains.
Main Results:
- MP/NPs are ubiquitous in terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments, and readily enter wastewater treatment systems.
- Their presence induces ecotoxicological issues and threatens ecosystem services.
- Diverse methods exist for MP/NPs detection and identification, with ongoing research into effective management strategies.
Conclusions:
- MP/NPs represent a critical environmental challenge requiring comprehensive understanding and integrated management approaches.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate MP/NPs' long-term ecological effects and develop sustainable mitigation solutions.
- Effective strategies for MP/NPs management must address their sources, environmental fate, and ecotoxicological impacts.
