Chapter 1: Microplastics - Existence and Fate in the Environment 1.Microplastics 2.Sources of plastics and microplastics in terrestrial and marine environments 3.Effects of microplastics in biological systems 4.Microplastics in atmosphere 5.Methodologies used for identification and characterisation of Microplastics 5.1Fourier transformation Infrared microscopy 5.2Raman Spectroscopy 5.3Hypersensing imaging 5.4Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM 5.5Atomic Force Microscopy 6.Recent studies on the emergence and fate of microplastics 7.Abiotic Degradation 8.Biotic degradation 9.Health effects 10.Emerging trends in the Management of microplastics 11.Challenges in Managing Microplastics Waste 12.References Chapter 2: Microplastics: Generation as Wastes and its Management and Legislation 1.Introduction 2.Generation of Microplastics 3.Microplastic Pollution 4.Harmful Effects 5.Need of the hour 6.Management of microplastics 6.1Physical methods 6.2Chemical methods 6.3Biological methods 7.Conclusion 8.References Chapter 3: How are microplastics generated? 1.Introduction 2.Microplastics: Sources and size-based terminology 3.Primary microplastics 4.Secondary microplastics 4.1Degradation of plastic debris 4.2Fragmentation 4.3The case of microfibers 5.Microplastic release under simulated environmental conditions 6.Conclusions 7.References Chapter 4: Physico-chemical properties of microplastics 1.Introduction 2.Physical properties 2.1Size 2.2 Shape 2.3Microplastics colors 2.4Surface area in Microplastics 2.5Microplastics Crystallinity 2.6Density 2.7Mechanical properties 3.Chemical properties 3.1Hydrophobicity and Solubility of Microplastics 4.Overview of the most employed methods to characterize the physicochemical properties of microplastics 4.1Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) 4.2SEM-EDS (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) 4.3Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) 4.4Spectroscopy Techniques 4.4.1Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 4.4.2Raman Spectroscopy 4.5Thermal Analysis 4.6Particle Size and Analysis 4.6.1Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) 4.6.2Laser Diffraction 4.7X-Ray Techniques 4.7.1X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) 4.8Contact Angle 5.Functional Groups on Microplastics and Their Environmental Reactivity 6.Physicochemical properties Influencing Microplastic Aggregation 7.Regulations on Microplastics and the Role of Physicochemical Properties in Policy-Making and Remediation Strategies 8.References Chapter 5: Degradation Behaviours of Microplastics 1. Introduction 2.MPs degradation 2.1Biotic 2.2Abiotics 2.2.1Photodegradation of MPs 2.2.1.1Petroleum-bassed MPs 2.2.1.2Photodegradation of Biobased MPs 3.Toxicology of MPs 3.1Petroleum-based MPs 3.1.1Aquatic organisms 3.1.2Cells 3.1.3Mammalians (mice) 3.2Biobased MPs 4.Concluding and Future trends 5.References Chapter 6: Microplastic collection and sampling techniques 1.The importance of measuring 2.Diversity of matrices = Diversity of methodologies 3.Choosing the appropriate method to sample microplastics 4.Forensic science approaches to reducing cross contamination 5.Ethical considerations, innovative technologies, remote sensing, and generative artificial intelligence 6.Comparing apples with apples: the importance of harmonised reporting units 7.Perspectives of future work in research and policy 8.References Chapter 7: Microplastic Separation Techniques 1.Introduction 1.1 Types of microplastics 2.Overview of Microplastic Separation Techniques 2.1 Physical Separation Techniques 2.1.1Sieving of filtration 2.1.2Centrifugation 2.1.3Sedimentation 2.2Chemical Separation techniques 2.2.1Dissolution methods 2.2.2Density separation 2.3Biological separation techniques 2.3.1Microbial degradation 2.3.2Biodegradable polymers 3.Emerging Technologies in Microplastic Separation 3.1Microfluidic technology 3.2Nanotechnology applications 3.3Magnetic nano materials 3.4Nano coils 3.5Nanofiltration 3.6Robotics and automation in microplastic sorting 3.7Artificial intelligence-empowered collection and characterization of microplastics 4.Challenges and Future Directions in Microplastic Separation 5.Conclusion 6.References Chapter 8: Analytical techniques for microplastics characterization 1.Microscopic techniques for analysis of microplastics 1.1Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) 1.2Atomic force microscopy (AFM) 2.Spectroscopic techniques for analysis of microplastics 2.1Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS or EDX) 2.2Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) 2.3Raman spectroscopy 2.4Hyphenation AFM-spectroscopy 2.5Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) 3.Thermal techniques for analysis of microplastics 3.1Hyphenated TGA 4.Chromatographic techniques for analysis of microplastics 4.1Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) 4.2Liquid chromatography (LC) 5.Other techniques for analysis of microplastics 5.1Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) 5.2Imaging flow cytometry 6.Comparison of the most analytical techniques for MPs characterization 7.References Chapter 9: Morphological and Physical Characterization of Microplastics 1.Introduction 2.Preparation of microplastics 2.1Preparation of pristine microplastics 2.2Preparation of aged microplastics 3.Characterization of microplastics 3.1Surface analysis 3.1.1Shape and morphology 3.1.2Surface charge 3.2Particle size analysis 3.2.1Microscopic methods 3.2.2Laser diffraction analysis 3.2.3Evaluation of results 3.3 Adsorption properties 3.3.1Specific surface area 3.3.2Adsorption of model compounds 4.Conclusion 5.References Chapter 10. Characterization and quantification of microplastics by spectroscopy techniques 1.Introduction 2.Spectroscopic techniques used to study the changes of physicochemical properties and the behavior of microplastics 3.Chemical characterization of microplastics from different environmental matrices 4.Vibrational spectroscopic techniques 4.1Infrared spectroscopy (IR) 4.2Raman spectroscopy 5.X-ray spectroscopic techniques 5.1X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) 5.2X-ray diffraction (XRD) 5.3X-ray fluorescence (XRF) 5.4Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) 6.Mass spectrometry (MS) 7.Summary 8.Conclusions 9.References Chapter 11: Analytical methods and characteristics of microplastics in sewage sludge, and their behavior 1.Introduction 2.Methods for the analysis of MPs in sewage and sewage sludge 2.1MPs sized 200 ?m and above 2.1.1Sewage 2.1.2Sewage sludge 2.2 MPs sized 20 ?m and above 2.2.1Sewage 2.2.2Sewage sludge 2.3Considerations and other analytical methods for FTIR microscopy 2.4How to compile data 3Behavior of MPs in sewage and sewage sludge treatment 3.1Differences in MPs behavior between sewage collection systems 3.2Behavior of MPs in the sewage treatment process 3.2.1Primary settlement tank 3.2.2Reaction tank 3.2.3Final settlement tank 3.2.4Advanced treatment (rapid filtration and membrane treatment equipment) 3.3MPs in sewage sludge treatment 3.3.1Thickening process 3.3.2Dewatering process 3.3.3Incineration and melting process 3.3.4Sewage sludge recycling 4Characteristics of MPs in sewage and sewage sludge treatment processes 5Study of MPs removal methods in sewage sludge treatment processes 5.1Purpose 5.2Study field 5.3Materials and methods 5.4Results and Discussion 5.5Conclusion 6MPs treatment issues in sewage treatment 7Conclusions and future perspectives 8References Chapter 12: Microplastic pollution in backwaters, major urban rivers, seas, and oceans 1.Introduction 1.1Overview of Microplastics 1.2A worldwide scenario of Microplastics in the aquatic and marine environment 2.Sources and transport pathways of MPs into the aquatic and marine environment 2.1Sources of MPs in the aquatic and marine environment 2.2Transport Pathways of MPs into the aquatic and marine environment 3.Global distribution and abundance of MPs in backwaters, major urban rivers, seas, and oceans 3.1Asia 3.2Europe 3.3North America and South America 3.4Africa 3.5Australia 3.6Polar Region 3.7Major oceans 4.Impacts of Microplastics on the aquatic and marine environment 5.Conclusion 6.References Chapter 13: Airborne Microplastics 1.Introduction 2.Sampling and analysis of airborne MPs 3.Sampling and preparation of MPs 3.1Passive sampling 3.2Active sampling 3.3Sample treatment and analysis 4.Identifying the characteristics of airborne MPs 5.Recent research findings in the study of airborne MPs 6.Implications of airborne MPs on earth and human health 7.Challenges and outlook 8.Conclusions 9.References Chapter 14: Microplastics in offshore and nearshore waters 1.Introduction 2.Sampling techniques 3.Net-based sampling methods 4.Analytical identification of MPs 5.Modes of entry of MPs into the ocean 6.MP concentrations in coastal waters 7.MP concentrations in offshore waters 8.MPs in subsurface water and in the water column 9.Circulation of MPs in the oceans 10.References Chapter 15: Microbial activity on bioplastics microparticles 1.Summary 2.Bioplastics: terminology, classification and properties 3.Bioplastics toxicity: Are they safer than conventional plastics? 4.Micro-bioplastic: formation, properties, and hazards 5.Microbial activities on micro-bioplastic surface 5.1Micro-bioplastic biodegrading microorganisms 5.2Micro-bioplastic as a surface for microbial interactions 5.3Factors influencing micro-bioplastic associated microbial activity and interactions 5.4Microbial co-culture may provoke micro(bio)plastic degradation 5.5Standard protocols for bioplastic biodegradation assessment 6.Knowledge gaps and future perspectives 7.Conclusions 8.References Chapter 16: Mitigation of microplastics impact in the environment by biobased biodegradable plastics 1.Introduction 2.Various methods to mitigate microplastics from environment 3.Bioplastics 3.1Demand of biomaterials in market 3.2Types of bioplastics 3.3Removal of microplastics by biopolymers 4.Biodegradation of microplastics 4.1General mechanism of biodegradation 4.2Biodegradation by bacteria 4.3Biodegradation by fungi 4.4Biodegradation by algae 4.5Biodegradation by enzymes 4.6Microplastic removal by marine organisms 5.Factors affecting microplastic degradation 5.1Environmental factors 5.2Other factors 6.Utilization of bioplastics 7.Most economical biodegradable plastics 8.Conclusion and future perspectives 9.References Chapter 17: MOFs for Microplastic Removal 1.Introduction 2.Microplastics: General aspects 3.MOFs: Characteristics and Synthesis 4.MOFs: adsorption, filtration, and photocatalysis 4.1Adsorption 4.2Filtration 4.3Photocatalysis 5.Concluding remarks 6.References Chapter 18: Life cycle assessment (LCA) of microplastics 1.Introduction 2.Environmental impacts of microplstics 3.Life cycle assessment 4.Reducing plastic products 4.1Waste disposal improvement 4.2Waste collection, disposal, and avoiding littering 4.3Education and awareness 4.4Recycle 5.Challenges and perspectives in microplastic LCA 6.Conclusions 7.References Chapter 19: Microplastics: Key Challenges and Future Perspectives 1.Introduction 1.1 Life cycle of microplastics 2.Future Perspectives 2.1 Emerging technologies and innovative solutions 2.2Potential long-term consequences of microplastic pollution 2.3Global efforts to address the issue 3.Key Challenges 3.1Detection and Quantification 3.1.1Sampling methods 3.1.2Analytical techniques 3.1.3Limitations and challenges 3.2Environmental persistence and transport 3.3Impact on ecosystems and human health 3.4Regulation and policy 4.Conclusion 5.Reference Chapter 20: Theoretical studies and machine learning techniques in microplastics 1. Introduction 2.Microplastics 2.1Formation of microplastics 2.2Shapes of microplastics 2.3Environmental effects of microplastics 2.3.1Toxic effects of microplastics 2.3.1.1Biological Effects in Ecosystems 2.3.1.2Chemical Pollution 2.3.1.3Toxicological Effects and Bioaccumulation 2.3.1.4Toxicity Rating 2.3.2Effects of microplastics on human health 2.4Microplastic pollution 2.4.1Biological Methods 2.4.2Chemical Methods 2.4.3Physical Methods 2.4.4Ecological Developments and Education 2.5Recycling and Reuse 3.Sources and inputs of microplastics in aquatic environments 3.1Primary sources of microplastics in aquatic environments 3.2Secondary sources of microplastics in aquatic environments 3.3Microplastic inputs in aquatic environments 4.Identification and quantification of microplastics from aquatic environs 5.Inadequacy in traditional MP identification methods and tools 6.Machine learning overview 6.1Machine learning application in identifying environmental MPs 6.1.1Neural network based MP identification 6.1.2MP identification using vector machines 6.1.3Decision tree and random forest-based MPs identification 6.1.4Principal component analysis 7.Challenges 8.Conclusion and prospects 9.References Chapter 21: Numerical simulation of microplastic deposition in circular settling tanks 1.Introduction 2.Methodology 2.1Governing equations 2.2Lagrangian sub-model 2.3Numerical model set-up and simulation scenarios 2.4Mesh sensitivity analysis 3.Results 3.1Hydrodynamics of sedimentation tank 3.2Microplastic (MP) transport in sedimentation tank 4.MP distribution 5.Conclusion 6.References Chapter 1: Microplastics - Existence and Fate in the Environment
1. Microplastics
2. Sources of plastics and microplastics in terrestrial and marine environments
3. Effects of microplastics in biological systems
4. Microplastics in atmosphere
5. Methodologies used for identification and characterisation of Microplastics
5.1 Fourier transformation Infrared microscopy
5.2 Raman Spectroscopy
5.3 Hypersensing imaging
5.4 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM
5.5 Atomic Force Microscopy
6. Recent studies on the emergence and fate of microplastics
7. Abiotic Degradation
8. Biotic degradation
9. Health effects
10. Emerging trends in the Management of microplastics
11. Challenges in Managing Microplastics Waste
12. References
Chapter 2: Microplastics: Generation as Wastes and its Management and Legislation
1. Introduction
2. Generation of Microplastics
3. Microplastic Pollution
4. Harmful Effects
5. Need of the hour
6. Management of microplastics
6.1 Physical methods
6.2 Chemical methods
6.3 Biological methods
7. Conclusion
8. References
Chapter 3: How are microplastics generated?
1. Introduction
2. Microplastics: Sources and size-based terminology
3. Primary microplastics
4. Secondary microplastics
4.1 Degradation of plastic debris
4.2 Fragmentation
4.3 The case of microfibers
5. Microplastic release under simulated environmental conditions
6. Conclusions
7. References
Chapter 4: Physico-chemical properties of microplastics
1. Introduction
2. Physical properties
2.1 Size
2.2 Shape
2.3 Microplastics colors
2.4 Surface area in Microplastics
2.5 Microplastics Crystallinity
2.6 Density
2.7 Mechanical properties
3. Chemical properties
3.1 Hydrophobicity and Solubility of Microplastics
4. Overview of the most employed methods to characterize the physicochemical properties of microplastics
4.1 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
4.2 SEM-EDS (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy)
4.3 Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
4.4 Spectroscopy Techniques
4.4.1 Fourier-TransformInfraredSpectroscopy(FTIR)
4.4.2 Raman Spectroscopy
4.5 Thermal Analysis
4.6 ParticleSizeand Analysis
4.6.1 DynamicLightScattering(DLS)
4.6.2 LaserDiffraction
4.7 X-Ray Techniques
4.7.1 X-rayPhotoelectronSpectroscopy(XPS)
4.8 ContactAngle
5. Functional Groups on Microplastics and Their Environmental Reactivity
6. Physicochemical properties Influencing Microplastic Aggregation
7. Regulations on Microplastics and the Role of Physicochemical Properties in Policy-Making and Remediation Strategies
8. References
Chapter 5: Degradation Behaviours of Microplastics
1. Introduction
2. MPs degradation
2.1 Biotic
2.2 Abiotics
2.2.1 Photodegradation of MPs
2.2.1.1 Petroleum-bassed MPs
2.2.1.2 Photodegradation of Biobased MPs
3. Toxicology of MPs
3.1 Petroleum-based MPs
3.1.1 Aquatic organisms
3.1.2 Cells
3.1.3 Mammalians (mice)
3.2 Biobased MPs
4. Concluding and Future trends
5. References
Chapter 6: Microplastic collection and sampling techniques
1. The importance of measuring
2. Diversity of matrices = Diversity of methodologies
3. Choosing the appropriate method to sample microplastics
4. Forensic science approaches to reducing cross-contamination
5. Ethical considerations, innovative technologies, remote-sensing, and generative artificial intelligence
6. Comparing apples with apples: the importance of harmonised reporting units
7. Perspectives of future work in research and policy
8. References
Chapter 7: Microplastic Separation Techniques
1. Introduction
1.1 Types of microplastics
2. Overview of Microplastic Separation Techniques
2.1 Physical Separation Techniques
2.1.1 Sieving of filtration
2.1.2 Centrifugation
2.1.3 Sedimentation
2.2 Chemical Separation techniques
2.2.1 Dissolution methods
2.2.2 Density separation
2.3 Biological separation techniques
2.3.1 Microbial degradation
2.3.2 Biodegradable polymers
3. Emerging Technologies in Microplastic Separation
3.1 Microfluidic technology
3.2 Nanotechnology applications
3.3 Magnetic nano materials
3.4 Nano coils
3.5 Nanofiltration
3.6 Robotics and automation in microplastic sorting
3.7 Artificial intelligence-empowered collection and characterization of microplastics
4. Challenges and Future Directions in Microplastic Separation
5. Conclusion
6. References
Chapter 8: Analytical techniques for microplastics characterization
1. Microscopic techniques for analysis of microplastics
1.1 Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM)
1.2 Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
2. Spectroscopic techniques for analysis of microplastics
2.1 Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS or EDX)
2.2 Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
2.3 Raman spectroscopy
2.4 Hyphenation AFM-spectroscopy
2.5 Hyperspectral imaging (HSI)
3. Thermal techniques for analysis of microplastics
3.1 Hyphenated TGA
4. Chromatographic techniques for analysis of microplastics
4.1 Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS)
4.2 Liquid chromatography (LC)
5. Other techniques for analysis of microplastics
5.1 Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS)
5.2 Imaging flow cytometry
6. Comparison of the most analytical techniques for MPs characterization
7. References
Chapter 9: Morphological and Physical Characterization of Microplastics
1. Introduction
2. Preparation of microplastics
2.1 Preparation of pristine microplastics
2.2 Preparation of aged microplastics
3. Characterization of microplastics
3.1 Surface analysis
3.1.1 Shape and morphology
3.1.2 Surface charge
3.2 Particle size analysis
3.2.1 Microscopic methods
3.2.2 Laser diffraction analysis
3.2.3 Evaluation of results
3.3 Adsorption properties
3.3.1 Specific surface area
3.3.2 Adsorption of model compounds
4. Conclusion
5. References
Chapter 10. Characterization and quantification of microplastics by spectroscopy techniques
1. Introduction
2. Spectroscopic techniques used to study the changes of physicochemical properties and the behavior of microplastics
3. Chemical characterization of microplastics from different environmental matrices
4. Vibrational spectroscopic techniques
4.1 Infrared spectroscopy (IR)
4.2 Raman spectroscopy
5. X-ray spectroscopic techniques
5.1 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
5.2 X-ray diffraction (XRD)
5.3 X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
5.4 Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)
6. Mass spectrometry (MS)
7. Summary
8. Conclusions
9. References
Chapter 11: Analytical methods and characteristics of microplastics in sewage sludge, and their behavior
1. Introduction
2. Methods for the analysis of MPs in sewage and sewage sludge
2.1 MPs sized 200 ?m and above
2.1.1 Sewage
2.1.2 Sewage sludge
2.2 MPs sized 20 ?m and above
2.2.1 Sewage
2.2.2 Sewage sludge
2.3 Considerations and other analytical methods for FTIR microscopy
2.4 How to compile data
3 Behavior of MPs in sewage and sewage sludge treatment
3.1 Differences in MPs behavior between sewage collection systems
3.2 Behavior of MPs in the sewage treatment process
3.2.1 Primary settlement tank
3.2.2 Reaction tank
3.2.3 Final settlement tank
3.2.4 Advanced treatment (rapid filtration and membrane treatment equipment)
3.3 MPs in sewage sludge treatment
3.3.1 Thickening process
3.3.2 Dewatering process
3.3.3 Incineration and melting process
3.3.4 Sewage sludge recycling
4 Characteristics of MPs in sewage and sewage sludge treatment processes
5 Study of MPs removal methods in sewage sludge treatment processes
5.1 Purpose
5.2 Study field
5.3 Materials and methods
5.4 Results and Discussion
5.5 Conclusion
6 MPs treatment issues in sewage treatment
7 Conclusions and future perspectives
8 References
Chapter 12: Microplastic pollution in backwaters, major urban rivers, seas, and oceans
1. Introduction
1.1 Overview of Microplastics
1.2 A worldwide scenario of Microplastics in the aquatic and
marine environment
2. Sources and transport pathways of MPs into the aquatic and marine environment
2.1 Sources of MPs in the aquatic and marine environment
2.2 Transport Pathways of MPs into the aquatic and marine environment
3. Global distribution and abundance of MPs in backwaters, major urban rivers, seas, and oceans
3.1 Asia
3.2 Europe
3.3 North America and South America
3.4 Africa
3.5 Australia
3.6 Polar Region
3.7 Major oceans
4. Impacts of Microplastics on the aquatic and marine environment
5. Conclusion
6. References
Chapter 13: Airborne Microplastics
1. Introduction
2. Sampling and analysis of airborne MPs
3. Sampling and preparation of MPs
3.1 Passive sampling
3.2 Active sampling
3.3 Sample treatment and analysis
4. Identifying the characteristics of airborne MPs
5. Recent research findings in the study of airborne MPs
6. Implications of airborne MPs on earth and human health
7. Challenges and outlook
8. Conclusions
9. References
Chapter 14: Microplastics in offshore and nearshore waters
1. Introduction
2. Sampling techniques
3. Net-based sampling methods
4. Analytical identification of MPs
5. Modes of entry of MPs into the ocean
6. MP concentrations in coastal waters
7. MP concentrations in offshore waters
8. MPs in subsurface water and in the water column
9. Circulation of MPs in the oceans
10. References
Chapter 15: Microbial activity on bioplastics microparticles
1. Summary
2. Bioplastics: terminology, classification and properties
3. Bioplastics toxicity: Are they safer than conventional plastics?
4. Micro-bioplastic: formation, properties, and hazards
5. Microbial activities on micro-bioplastic surface
5.1 Micro-bioplastic biodegrading microorganisms
5.2 Micro-bioplastic as a surface for microbial interactions
5.3 Factors influencing micro-bioplastic associated microbial activity
and interactions
5.4 Microbial co-culture may provoke micro(bio)plastic degradation
5.5 Standard protocols for bioplastic biodegradation assessment
6. Knowledge gaps and future perspectives
7. Conclusions
8. References
Chapter 16: Mitigation of microplastics impact in the environment by biobased biodegradable plastics
1. Introduction
2. Various methods to mitigate microplastics from environment
3. Bioplastics
3.1 Demand of biomaterials in market
3.2 Types of bioplastics
3.3 Removal of microplastics by biopolymers
4. Biodegradation of microplastics
4.1 General mechanism of biodegradation
4.2 Biodegradation by bacteria
4.3 Biodegradation by fungi
4.4 Biodegradation by algae
4.5 Biodegradation by enzymes
4.6 Microplastic removal by marine organisms
5. Factors affecting microplastic degradation
5.1 Environmental factors
5.2 Other factors
6. Utilization of bioplastics
7. Most economical biodegradable plastics
8. Conclusion and future perspectives
9. References
Chapter 17: MOFs for Microplastic Removal
1. Introduction
2. Microplastics: General aspects
3. MOFs: Characteristics and Synthesis
4. MOFs: adsorption, filtration, and photocatalysis
4.1 Adsorption
4.2 Filtration
4.3 Photocatalysis
5. Concluding remarks
6. References
Chapter 18: Life cycle assessment (LCA) of microplastics
1. Introduction
2. Environmental impacts of microplstics
3. Life cycle assessment
4. Reducing plastic products
4.1 Waste disposal improvement
4.2 Waste collection, disposal, and avoiding littering
4.3 Education and awareness
4.4 Recycle
5. Challenges and perspectives in microplastic LCA
6. Conclusions
7. References
Chapter 19: Microplastics: Key Challenges and Future Perspectives
1. Introduction
1.1 Life cycle of microplastics
2. Future Perspectives
2.1 Emerging technologies and innovative solutions
2.2 Potential long-term consequences of microplastic pollution
2.3 Global efforts to address the issue
3. Key Challenges
3.1 Detection and Quantification
3.1.1 Sampling methods
3.1.2 Analytical techniques
3.1.3 Limitations and challenges
3.2 Environmental persistence and transport
3.3 Impact on ecosystems and human health
3.4 Regulation and policy
4. Conclusion
5. Reference
Chapter 20: Theoretical studies and machine learning techniques in microplastics
1. Introduction
2. Microplastics
2.1 Formation of microplastics
2.2 Shapes of microplastics
2.3 Environmental effects of microplastics
2.3.1 Toxic effects of microplastics
2.3.1.1 Biological Effects in Ecosystems
2.3.1.2 Chemical Pollution
2.3.1.3 Toxicological Effects and Bioaccumulation
2.3.1.4 Toxicity Rating
2.3.2 Effects of microplastics on human health
2.4 Microplastic pollution
2.4.1 Biological Methods
2.4.2 Chemical Methods
2.4.3 Physical Methods
2.4.4 Ecological Developments and Education
2.5 Recycling and Reuse
3. Sources and inputs of microplastics in aquatic environments
3.1 Primary sources of microplastics in aquatic environments
3.2 Secondary sources of microplastics in aquatic environments
3.3 Microplastic inputs in aquatic environments
4. Identification and quantification of microplastics from aquatic environs
5. Inadequacy in traditional MP identification methods and tools
6. Machine learning overview
6.1 Machine learning application in identifying environmental MPs
6.1.1 Neural network based MP identification
6.1.2 MP identification using vector machines
6.1.3 Decision tree and random forest-based MPs identification
6.1.4 Principal component analysis
7. Challenges
8. Conclusion and prospects
9. References
Chapter 21: Numerical simulation of microplastic deposition in circular settling tanks
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1 Governingequations
2.2 Lagrangiansub-model
2.3 Numericalmodelset-upandsimulationscenarios
2.4 Meshsensitivityanalysis
3. Results
3.1 Hydrodynamicsofsedimentationtank
3.2 Microplastic (MP) transport in sedimentation tank
4. MPdistribution
5. Conclusion
6. References
