Microplastics: From Pollution to Solutions - Understanding Impacts, Detection Methods, and Remediation Strategies

The issue of microplastic pollution, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, poses a significant challenge across various industries, such as cosmetics and cleaning. Microplastics are categorized as primary (microbeads) or secondary (environmentally formed), with major sources being microfibers and synthetic garment paint, with wastewater treatment plants contributing to waterway pollution. In aquatic ecosystems, microplastics can have both immediate and long-term effects on organisms, impacting gene expression and causing inflammation. Human activities such as aquaculture and tourism are the leading causes of microplastics in oceans, while improper waste disposal leads to their presence in terrestrial environments, posing health risks through drinking water contamination. Detection methods such as Raman and NMR spectroscopy offer insights into their composition, although challenges exist in identification owing to their diverse natures. Remediation strategies involve enhanced wastewater treatment and passive approaches such as river management, with the membrane filtration market expected to grow significantly. Research into degradable plastics and nanotechnology shows promise in addressing this issue, with crucial ethical considerations. This chapter gives an outline of microplastics, how common they are in the environment, how they are being collected, characterization methods, elimination methods, and policy interventions promoting sustainability and circular economy practices.