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Classification and Definition of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments
Original title: 수환경에서의 마이크로플라스틱 분류 및 정의
Summary
This Korean paper reviews the definitions and classification systems used for microplastics in aquatic environments, highlighting the importance of standardized terminology as the field has grown rapidly since the discovery of widespread plastic pollution.
Since the discovery of the first artificial synthetic plastic, bakelite, polymer materials have been recognized as one of the most innovative fields of research. The plastic debris that is being piled up on the earth (called abandoned plastic litters) is now being observed everywhere on Earth, becoming an increasingly serious environmental threat. The term ''microplastics'', created in 2004, now refers to plastic particles that are smaller than 5 mm, including all nano-sized plastic particles. However, there is no legal regulation, and there is still a lack of comprehensive definitions that practically include microplastic size standards. In this study, we will refer to “microplastics” as the English name, and look at how to identify these microplastics and propose new definitions that focus on their size. This study is expected to contribute to the domestic consensus on scientific definitions of microplastics.