We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic generation, distribution, and removal from the environment: a review
Summary
This review summarizes how microplastics are generated, spread through the environment, and affect living organisms, noting that no area on Earth remains free of microplastic contamination. The paper highlights that microplastics threaten human health through water and food contamination, and emphasizes the need for better methods to capture and remove these particles from the environment.
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is a highly relevant and aggravating environmental problem, which is a concern not only for specialists in various fields but also for everyone who cares about the future of our Planet. The ever-increasing production of polymers and the expanding use of plastic products escalates MP concentrations in the Earth's ecosystem. The need to control the accumulation and spread of MPs is caused by the current crisis, in which no microplastic-free areas have remained on the Earth. The number of studies dealing with the existing and potential threat to living organisms from the accumulation and consumption of MPs is increasing every year. The aim of this review is to systematize the available information on the occurrence of MPs in the environment and briefly describe the main types of polymer materials acting as MP sources and mechanisms of MP formation and transport in the environment. The hazardous behaviour of MPs is analyzed by considering their impact on the physiology of aquatic and soil organisms. Special emphasis is on demonstrating the adverse environmental effects of the emissions from 3D printing with polymer materials. An overview of various methods for MP capture is given to facilitate the analysis and development of more reliable methods for MP removal and disposal. As a result of the review, we assess the long-term environmental and human health consequences of MP exposure. Understanding the mechanisms of MP formation, lifecycle in the environment, and ways of interaction with living organisms will facilitate the development of methods for controlling the spread of MPs and the design and implementation of effective techniques for environmental remediation to prevent adverse ecological consequences. The bibliography includes 244 references.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Environmental impact of microplastics and potential health hazards
This review provides a broad overview of where microplastics come from, how they spread through air, water, land, and food, and what health risks they may pose to humans and wildlife. The authors emphasize that completely removing microplastics from the environment is essentially impossible, making it critical to reduce plastic production and consumption at the source.
A Review of Sources, Hazards, and Removal Methods of Microplastics in the Environment
This systematic review provides a comprehensive look at where microplastics come from, what risks they pose, and how they can be removed from the environment. The review covers contamination in air, water, and soil, noting that microplastics can carry toxic chemicals and harm both ecosystems and human health.
A critical review on occurrence, distribution, environmental impacts and biodegradation of microplastics
This review provides a broad overview of microplastic pollution, covering where these particles come from, how they spread through terrestrial and aquatic environments, and their effects on ecosystems. Researchers found that microplastics are now present in virtually every environment studied worldwide, from deep oceans to mountain soils. The study highlights biodegradation by microorganisms as a promising but still underdeveloped approach for addressing microplastic contamination.
Microplastics influencing aquatic environment and human health: A review of source, determination, distribution, removal, degradation, management strategy and future perspective
This review paper provides a broad summary of microplastic pollution in water environments, covering where they come from, how to detect them, how they spread, and how to remove them. The authors emphasize that microplastics persist for extremely long periods in water and can harm both aquatic life and human health, calling for better management strategies worldwide.
A Review of Microplastic Pollution: Harmful Effect on Environment and Animals, Remediation Strategies
This review provides a broad overview of microplastic pollution, covering its sources, environmental distribution, and harmful effects on wildlife and ecosystems. Researchers summarize current knowledge about how microplastics enter food chains and interact with other pollutants. The study also evaluates existing cleanup and remediation strategies for addressing microplastic contamination across different environments.