Full Description
As plastics, including microplastics, increasingly infiltrate freshwater and marine ecosystems, they pose serious risks to aquatic organisms, particularly those that are part of the human food chain. To address this crisis, researchers and policymakers require a multidisciplinary exploration of both the origins of plastic pollution and the potential mitigation strategies, including biodegradable alternatives, circular economy approaches, policy frameworks, and community-led efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Plastic Tides: Tackling Plastic Pollution for Global Food Security will not only examine the sources of plastics in water bodies, their accumulation in aquatic food species, and the potential health and economic impacts on communities reliant on these resources, but also explore practical solutions, including plastic reduction strategies and sustainable material alternatives. Special emphasis will be placed on regions and populations that are particularly dependent on fisheries and agriculture, highlighting their heightened exposure and vulnerability. Insights from across the fields of environmental science, toxicology, and public health, together offer a comprehensive guide to tackling this influx of pollution on a scientific and public policy level.
Contents
Plastic Pathways Threaten Ecosystems and Undermine Global Food Stability.- Plastics in the Food Chain A Scoping Review of Their Environmental Health and Food Security Implications.- Microplastic Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems A Comparative Review of Sources Impacts and Management in Marine and Freshwater Habitats.- Microplastic Contamination in Pet Foods and Fish Meals Implications Beyond Human Health.- Plastic Debris Alters Aquatic Habitats and Disrupts Sustainable Fisheries.- Bioaccumulation of Plastics in Fish Raises Health Concerns and Regulatory Gaps.- Nanoplastics Penetrate Biological Barriers and Pose Risks to Aquatic Productivity.- Linking Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems Pollutant Transport Bioaccumulation Cycles and Global Food Security.- Agricultural Runoff and Plastic Inputs Create a Synergistic Threat to Food Webs.- Socioeconomic Consequences of Plastic Pollution Undermine Coastal Livelihoods.- Integrating the circular economy principles to tackle plastic pollution in aquaculture.- Climate Change Interacts with Plastic Stressors and Amplifies Food Insecurity.- Physiological Alterations and Immune Modulation in Fish Exposed to Microplastics.- Monitoring Plastic Contamination Demands Innovation and Global Coordination.- Food System Resilience Requires Addressing the Plastic lifecycle and Policy Reform.- Public Awareness and Behaviour Change Critical for Mitigating Plastic Risks.- Integrated Waste Management Supports Healthy Oceans and Secures Global Nutrition.- Future Research Directions on Plastic-Food Interactions and Global Sustainability Goals.- Flowing Together Public Awareness and Stakeholder Synergy for Sustainable Aquatic Pollution Governance.
