Microplastic in the Marine Environment

Plastic Culture has become an integral part of the present era of humankind. With the growing needs of the populace, the wastes conjured from plastic use have grown multiple folds. Inadequate infrastructure and mismanagement in the disposal of these wastes have polluted both the land and the seas enormously. Weathering degradation of these plastic wastes on the beaches and the coastal areas results in their embrittlement, and therefore, production of microplastics, which are then carried into the marine ecosystem. These microplastics are quite persistent in nature and also tend to be incorporated into the marine food web. The potential damage to the marine flora and fauna could be enormous in the light of biomagnification, which also threatens anthropogenic life indirectly in terms of health and economy. Hence, it becomes important to understand the effects of microplastic pollution on the marine ecosystem. This chapter sheds light on the emergence, effects, and threats posed by microplastics in the marine environment.