Mitigating persistent organic pollutants from marine plastics through enhanced recycling: A review

The escalating crisis of marine plastic waste pose threats to the marine ecosystems. Statistics revealed that a staggering 8 MMT of plastic inundates the marine atmosphere annually. This review delves into a pivotal aspect of this issue, examining the release of additives like brominated flame retardants, phthalates, and bisphenol A from plastic into the environment. It also underscores the concealed chemical hazards plastic introduces to the marine ecosystem's air, water, and sediment. As plastic degrades and breaks down, it generates microplastics and nanoplastics, exacerbating the widespread detrimental effects on marine life and even affecting terrestrial ecosystems, imperiling the overall health and stability of various organisms. While mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and dissolution-reprecipitation demonstrated potential in addressing marine plastic debris, further research and development are needed to surmount associated challenges to increase the efficiency of current recycling method. This comprehensive review elaborates on the current fate and consequences associated with plastic pollution in marine environments. It emphasizes the urgent need for initiatives to confront this imminent ecological crisis, accentuating the necessity of protecting the marine environment and their delicate ecosystems from the pervasive threat of plastic waste.