Accumulation and release of organic pollutants by conventional and biodegradable microplastics in the marine environment (original) (raw)
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Indian Journal of Natural Sciences, 2023
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Plastic pollution is a major global issue due to its non-biodegradability and persistence in nature. Plastics take thousands of years to degrade and can be converted into microplastics which are very harmful to all living biota due to their extensively small size (≤ 0.5 mm). Even though microplastics are not completely separated during wastewater treatment in plants (WWTPs). MPs are converted from highly stable and different kinds of polymers like polystyrene, polyethylene, etc., and radically distributed across the globe including the Arctic and Polar regions which fascinate scientists and researchers in addressing the issue. Due to the microscopic dimension of plastics, MPs has been entering through various pathways into the food webs of various aquatic fauna and indirectly or directly affecting the ecosystem including human health. Therefore, MPs are an inevitable and emerging threat especially for the aquatic ecosystems. This review discusses briefly the types, sources, chemical...
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The hypothesis that 'microplastic will transfer hazardous hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOC) to marine animals' has been central to the perceived hazard and risk of plastic in the marine environment. The hypothesis is often cited and has gained momentum, turning it into paradigm status. We provide a critical evaluation of the scientific literature regarding this hypothesis. Using new calculations based on published studies, we explain the sometimes contrasting views and unify them in one interpretive framework. One explanation for the contrasting views among studies is that they test different hypotheses. When reframed in the context of the above hypothesis, the available data become consistent. We show that HOC microplastic-water partitioning can be assumed to be at equilibrium for most microplastic residing in the oceans. We calculate the fraction of total HOC sorbed by plastics to be small compared to that sorbed by other media in the ocean. We further demonstrate consis...
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Over the past decade, enhanced scientific interest has produced an expanding knowledge base for microplastics. The highest abundance of microplastics is typically associated with coastlines and oceans but the fate of these microplastics is elusive. Microplastics sink following fragmentation which is further ingested by marine biota thus imposes threat to them. Thus, the present review focuses on properties and sources of microplastics, its impact on environment, the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of microplastics and its impact on living biota. This study would be helpful for the development and implementation of risk management strategies for managing the disposal of microplastics.