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Microplastics – from Anthropogenic to Natural
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This review discusses both natural and anthropogenic origins of microplastics, arguing that distinguishing synthetic plastic particles from naturally occurring microparticles is important for accurate environmental risk assessment. The authors caution against overgeneralizing hazards of all small particles detected in the environment.
In the context of the ongoing discussion of accumulating plastic debris in the environment, this article summarizes recent reports on the topic of microplastic pollution. Moreover, it gives an overview of the results from the activities of the research group for Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry of the Institute of Life Technologies at the HES-SO ValaisWallis concerning the fabrication of biodegradable microstructured plastics and microplastics from renewable resources. Polyhydroxyalkanoate biopolyesters are proposed as one suitable alternative in specific applications to reduce the use of persistent plastics. Standard techniques are described that have been successfully applied to produce porous materials, fibers and particles in the micro- and nanometer range.
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Microplastics in the Environment
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This chapter examines microplastic pollution sources by integrating methods to distinguish natural from anthropogenic origins, providing a comprehensive exploration of microplastic distribution pathways and the analytical approaches used for source identification.
Source Identification of Microplastics via Natural and Anthropogenic Impacts
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This review identifies and distinguishes natural and anthropogenic sources of microplastics in the environment, examining how different origin pathways—from industrial discharge to atmospheric deposition—produce MPs with characteristic size, shape, and polymer distributions that can be used for source attribution.
The Fate of Micro/Nano Plastic Pollutants in the Natural Environment
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This review explains how micro- and nanoplastics form through physical, chemical, and biological breakdown of larger plastic debris, and then traces their fate across land, water, and living organisms at every level of the ecological hierarchy. The authors discuss methods for identifying and classifying these particles and summarize the ecotoxicological risks they pose as they accumulate and interact with other pollutants. It provides a broad-level framework for understanding where microplastics end up in nature and why that matters for both ecosystem and human health.
Micro- and Nano-Plastics Contaminants in the Environment: Sources, Fate, Toxicity, Detection, Remediation, and Sustainable Perspectives
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This review provides a broad overview of micro- and nanoplastic pollution, covering where these particles come from, how they spread through the environment, and the damage they cause to living things including humans. The authors also compare different methods for removing microplastics from the environment, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. The paper calls for more research and global cooperation to develop better tools for measuring the health risks of plastic pollution.
Microplastics: Contaminants of Global Concern in the Anthropocene
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This review summarizes the state of knowledge on microplastics as a global contaminant, covering their sources, distribution in different environments, and potential ecological and health effects. It frames microplastics as a defining pollution challenge of the Anthropocene era.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.