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Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Aquatic Environment
Summary
This review examines the origins, transport pathways, and toxic impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic environments, tracing debris from diverse land-based and marine sources. Researchers found that plastic fragmentation produces ubiquitous micro- and nano-scale particles throughout ocean systems, with documented toxicity to marine organisms and potential risks to human consumers of seafood.
Marine trash can be found all around the oceans. Debris enters oceans through a variety of sources, including but not limited to sources onshore, vessels, and other marine infrastructure. Plastics are often the most significant component of marine debris, contributing up to 100% of floating trash. Microplastics (MPs) or nanoplastics (NPs), which are fragmented or otherwise minute plastic materials, have remained a source of environmental concern. This chapter traces the different avenues of NPs and MPs in an aquatic setting along with their origin. The toxic impacts of NPs and MPs on the marine ecosystem have been discussed in detail. This chapter also highlights the toxicity comparison of MPs/NPs and the brief analytical techniques for their mitigation. The available data suggests that the prolonged presence of NPs and MPs in the aquatic systems could have long-term repercussions. The more empirical and doctrinal study is pertinent for a better understanding of systemic toxicity caused by MPs/NPs, as well as the underlying mechanism.
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