Microplastics

Microplastics have spread worldwide, contaminating the ecology as they do so. They are tiny particles measuring less than 5 mm and have emerged as a pervasive and alarming environmental issue. Their widespread presence in various ecosystems, from oceans to freshwater bodies, and even the atmosphere, has raised concerns about their potential adverse effects on both the environment and human health. Industrial, domestic, agricultural, and livestock effluents contain microplastics that cannot be eliminated by sewage treatment plants. These wastewaters also contain micropellets from cosmetic products, especially facial scrubs and textile fibers; the latter result from the shedding of particles while washing textiles. Municipal wastewater treatment facilities remove large plastics from wastewater; however, after multiple water treatment steps, some microplastic or nanoplastic particles are still present and are released into the effluent. In this chapter, the authors have focused on the sources, distribution, and effects of microplastics on the environment and the goals and initiatives set up by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14).