Microplastics Pollution

Since the 19th century, the human population has become increasingly reliant on plastic products. The versatility, strength, portability, and low production costs have emerged as a global trend. But by 2030, it’s expected that the total amount of microplastics in particular maritime areas will have increased in size. Currently, it is calculated that around 4.0 to ≥ 12 million tons of plastic enters the rivers and oceans every year. Plastic debris and microplastics are generated via several channels, including cleaning of clothes, paintwork failure, and sewage treatment. Rainfall, disasters, movements in the atmosphere and ocean promote release of microplastics. Numerous aquatic species have shown the ability to digest microplastics, which opens the door to the transmission of hydrophobic, waterborne contaminants or chemical compounds to the environment. However, it is dangerous for human beings to consume contaminated water and aquatic species. Humans also spent > 90% of their time indoors, which increases the risk of indoor microplastics due to the use of high concentration of polymeric materials. The analysis and removal of microplastics pollution in water bodies is a big challenge for the scientific community. The sources, incidence, movement, and fate of microplastics in aquatic environments as well as determining circumstances and factors impacting distribution are summarized and updated in this chapter. In addition, herein discussed: how engineering and biotechnological approaches, such as cutting-edge water treatments, might aid in regulating, lowering, or even completely eliminating microplastics pollution in a short time.