Description
Microplastics: Transport, Impacts, Monitoring and Mitigation provides a critical analysis of our current understanding of microplastic science, the methods by which microplastic are observed in the environment, and our options for mitigation and remediation. Associated concern for the environment has resulted in substantial interest in the management and mitigation of these persistent and pervasive pollutants. Nevertheless, our progress towards reliable monitoring and successful management has been limited.The book is intended for those studying or working in the fields of environmental science and waste management (as well as associated areas), and provides the holistic context needed to evaluate and interpret the outputs associated with the interlinked problems of plastic and microplastics. In this manner, the reader will be invited to explore the ongoing challenges which have thus far prevented the development of a thorough understanding of the risk posed by plastic and microplastic pollution, to discuss the implications of ongoing uncertainty to effective plastic management, evaluate the current strategies to control the ongoing proliferation of plastic pollution.- Models the issue of microplastic pollution with historic case studies of alternative pollutants- Demonstrates the differing requirements of microplastic monitoring and management- Contains idealized workflows specific to key practitioner groups, the content of which will reflect recent debates and divergences in the field- Emphasizes critical comparison between emerging management measures not apparent in current edited texts which tend to consider individual approaches separately- Places management and remediation methods in the context of the observed scale and impact of associated microplastics in the environment to indicate the potential benefits of each approach
Table of Contents
About the AuthorAcknowledgementsPrefaceDedicationList of Abbreviations1. The Proliferation of Plastics – macro to nanoSection 1: Observation and Effects in the Environment2. Microplastics on the Move3. Environmental Accumulation, Environmental Monitoring4. Exploring Interaction, Uptake, and Impacts5. Ecosystem Level Effects6. Associated Pollutants and Secondary EffectsSection 2: A great many R's: the societal response to the plastic problem7. A great many R's8. Recover and Remove: rise of the litter collector9. Consume: increasing the rate of fragmentation and degradation of polymers10. Policy Priorities: emerging trends in a global response11. "Solutions vs. sustainability12. Microplastic ForecastBack MatterGlossary
