Details zur Publikation |
| Kategorie | Textpublikation |
| Referenztyp | Buchkapitel |
| DOI | 10.1016/B978-0-443-33829-8.00006-3 |
| Titel (primär) | Environmental toxicology and risk management of microplastics: Current state of knowledge |
| Titel (sekundär) | Remediation technologies for microplastics in aquatic environments |
| Autor | Moloi, M.S.; Lehutso, R.F. |
| Herausgeber | Zubair, M.; Daud, M.; Meili, L. |
| Erscheinungsjahr | 2026 |
| Department | ETOX |
| Seite von | 413 |
| Seite bis | 444 |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Topic | T9 Healthy Planet |
| Abstract | Microplastics (MPs), minuscule plastics originating from the production and degradation of plastics in the environment, gained global attention as emerging water resource pollutants. An estimated 13–25 million metric tons of MPs enter rivers, lakes, and oceans annually. The concern is mainly fueled by MPs’ nondegradability and unknown ecological risks. To further compound the problem, MPs contain a cocktail of active chemical ingredients, such as additives, antioxidants, stabilizers, and plasticisers, which were added during the production of plastic. In addition to containing a cocktail of chemicals, MPs also act as vectors for various environmental pollutants, facilitating their transportation to various aquatic environments. Herein, MPs ecotoxicity, risks, mitigation strategies, and management in aquatic environments are discussed. The widespread MPs in aquatic environments have varying adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Bioaccumulation of MPs in aquatic invertebrates and fish is one of the primary concerns regarding MPs. Generally, sedentary organisms and apex predators accumulated more MPs due to concentration in their habitat and biomagnification during trophic transfer, respectively. The varying MPs abundance, properties, and induced toxic effects cause various risks across different aquatic environments. The risks of MPs in aquatic environments remain largely unknown because of the lack of standardised risk assessment methods and the lack of a higher degree of environmental realism. Complementary methods adopted to establish the risks of MPs highlight that MPs pollution poses low to high risks in aquatic environments. The high risks are often correlated with the MPs' polymer type, high abundance, and anthropogenic activities. To mitigate the risks of MPs in aquatic environments, different strategies, such as the restriction/ban of incorporating primary MPs in cosmetic products, the development of eco-designed/biodegradable plastics, and improved wastewater and solid waste management, have been proposed. The success of these strategies is yet to materialize globally, and the MPs' pollution is predicted to increase, thus increasing the risk profile of MPs. Realistic and complementary data are required to support evidence-based decision-making and adequately assess the risks of MPs, as well as implement effective management strategies to reduce and/or prevent pollution. |
| Moloi, M.S., Lehutso, R.F. (2026): Environmental toxicology and risk management of microplastics: Current state of knowledge In: Zubair, M., Daud, M., Meili, L. (eds.) Remediation technologies for microplastics in aquatic environments Elsevier Science, Oxford, p. 413 - 444 10.1016/B978-0-443-33829-8.00006-3 |
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