The annual global plastic production is estimated to have increased from 1.5 to 390.7 million metric tonnes from 1950 to 2021. Additionally, the inefficient management strategies have resulted in huge plastic waste disposal in the environment in a hostile manner. This study compiles information on how microplastic pollution affects the marine ecosystem, with a particular emphasis on key factors such as the types and sources of microplastics, the mechanisms leading to the degradation of microplastics, their harmful effects on marine biota and humans, the fate of microplastics in the marine environment, and the recent developments in the characterization, separation, and removal of microplastics from the marine environment. The analysis from this study provides a baseline for developing effective microplastic risk management plans. Future research should concentrate on treating and eliminating microplastics before they are discharged into the marine environment since their distribution and abundance in aquatic systems are projected to rise with the increased plastic input into the total environment.
This paper characterizes the fungal and bacterial colonizers of 5 types of plastic films (High-Density Polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, and Polyethylene Terephthalate) throughout a 242-day incubation in the south-eastern Mediterranean and relates them to the chemical changes observed on the surface of the samples via ATR-FTIR. Neither bacterial nor fungal community structures were related[…]
This paper provides insights into the sustainable alternatives that can replace conventional plastic mulches, such as biodegradable mulches made from natural fibers and biopolymers. The microscopic and FTIR analyses conducted during the study showed the degradation of the fibers from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The nonwoven mulches provide higher[…]
This paper investigates the degradation of biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) and traditional polyethylene (PE) plastic under two typical abiotic conditions: ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and mechanical abrasion (MA) for up to nine months. The quantitative analysis of the degradation products was carried out using membrane filtration and total organic carbon determination (MF-TOCD). The results[…]
This paper identifies technological innovation, policy formulation, advocacy and sensitization, and bioremediation as some of the approaches that are currently used for the mitigation of plastic pollution in Nigeria. This chapter also highlights the need to encourage, enhance, and disseminate scientific research on mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution in Nigeria. It concluded with[…]
This review provides insights into the sources of microplastics, the ecotoxicity of microplastics, and the impact microplastics have on aquatic and marine life, management, and bioremediation of microplastics. Policies and strategies adopted by the government to combat microplastic pollution are also discussed in this review. Microplastics tend to accumulate in many aquatic systems, contaminate them,[…]