Microplastics in the global aquatic environment: Analysis, effects, remediation and policy solutions

This opinion paper reports on Microplastics (MPs) pollution in the aquatic environment. MPs are a global problem being detected everywhere: marine environment, wastewaters, surface waters, soils, sediments, food and air. MPs can also absorb organic contaminants, and can be ingested by organisms and introduced into the food web. MPs can be a vector as well of pathogens whereas airborne fibrous MPs may enter our respiratory system with risk to the environment and humans. Main issues and gaps related to MPs on-going and future research are highlighted: chemical analysis, fate in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants, environmental and human health effects as well as remediation strategies. Policy recommendations towards limiting the amount of plastic waste are being formulated to mitigate MPs pollution.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Barceló, Damià, Picó, Yolanda
Other Authors: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España)
Format: artículo biblioteca
Published: Elsevier 2019-10
Subjects:Microplastics, Chemical analysis, Water treatment plants, Risk to the environment, Human health effects, Remediation and policy,
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/201499
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000780
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003359
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002809
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100011033
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