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Sources and Fate of Plastics into Microplastics
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This book chapter provides an overview of how plastics degrade into primary and secondary microplastics through physical, chemical, photodegradation, thermal, and biological processes. Researchers also reviewed remediation methods including sorption, filtration, chemical, and biological approaches for removing microplastics from the environment. The study includes evidence from the X-Press Pearl maritime accident to illustrate the long-term pollution consequences of plastic nurdle spills.
Microplastic pollution in the oceans has continuously increased during the last five decades. However, the characteristics of plastic-making polymers, their degradation/weathering mechanisms, and remediation measures are poorly discussed. Therefore, this book chapter discusses up-to-date facts on plastics production as pollutants (nurdles, polymers) and weathering and degradation of plastics (physical/mechanical, photodegradation/photooxidative, chemical, thermal and biological degradations) into primary and secondary microplastics and their toxicity/potential impacts and removal procedures (sorption and filtration, chemical, and biological methods) from the environment. We also provided evidence for plastic nurdles degradation for a one-year period and continuous/long-term marine pollution after the X-Press Pearl maritime accident.
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Beach and Marine Microplastics
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Microplastics reach marine and beach environments through industrial discharge, weathering of plastic litter, and catastrophic spill events such as the 2021 MV X-Press Pearl shipwreck off Sri Lanka — the worst recorded microplastic spill in history. This chapter reviews sources, transport pathways, and the range of physicochemical removal strategies developed to date, using the Sri Lanka spill response as a real-world case study for large-scale marine microplastic remediation.
Hazardous Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Marine Environment
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This review examines the hazardous effects of microplastics and nanoplastics in marine environments, discussing the sources, persistence, and biological impacts of plastic particles, and evaluating remediation strategies including bioremediation alongside conventional approaches such as incineration, recycling, and landfilling.
Biodegradation of Plastic Waste: Environmental Implications and Remediation Approaches
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This review examined physical, chemical, and biological degradation mechanisms of microplastics in the environment, including photodegradation, hydrolysis, and microbial breakdown. The authors discussed how degradation generates secondary microplastics and toxic by-products, and reviewed emerging mitigation strategies including advanced oxidation and enzymatic degradation.
An overview of the sources, hazards and removal of microplastics
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This review covers the sources, environmental fate, and removal methods for micro- and nanoplastics, noting that secondary particles formed from macroplastic breakdown constitute over 90% of total plastic pollution and summarizing physical, chemical, and biological removal approaches.
Marine Pollution from Plastics and Microplastics
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This review examines how marine plastic pollution proliferates in ocean environments, discussing the degradation pathways by which macroplastics break down into microplastics and the resulting harmful effects on marine organisms and ecosystems. The review synthesizes evidence on physical, chemical, and biological impacts of plastics across marine habitats.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.