Why Microplastics are of Concern ?

-

 

Why Microplastics are of Concern ?

Dr. Zorawar Singh

Plastics' extensive usage and abuse have resulted in major environmental degradation concerns that must be addressed immediately. One of the most frequent forms of marine trash found in our seas and lakes is plastic. Plastic trash may be of any size or shape. Microplastics are plastic particles that are fewer than five millimetres in length. These minute fragments might take decades or more to disintegrate completely. As a result, it is critical to monitor plastic consumption and disposal.

Microplastics are microscopic plastic particles that are produced as a result of commercial product development as well as the breakdown of bigger plastics. Microplastics, as a contaminant, can be hazardous to both human and animal health. These can be primary or secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are defined as any plastic pieces or particles that are 5.0 mm or smaller before entering the environment. These include clothing microfibers, microbeads, and plastic pellets (sometimes known as nurdles). Secondary microplastics are formed when bigger plastic goods degrade (break down) in the environment due to natural weathering processes. 

Microplastics have a high possibility of ingestion, assimilation into, and accumulation in the bodies and tissues of many species since plastics disintegrate slowly (typically over hundreds to thousands of years). Toxic chemicals from the ocean and runoff can potentially biomagnify their way up the food chain. Microplastics have been shown in terrestrial environments to impair soil ecosystem viability and earthworm weight. The cycle and transportation of microplastics in the environment are not fully understood, although study into the subject is now happening. Deep layer ocean sediment investigations in China reveal the presence of plastics in deposition layers that predate the creation of plastics, implying that microplastics in surface sample ocean surveys are likely underestimated.

Thus, microplastics pose a serious health threat that is of real concern to us and should be addressed amicably.

Photo Courtesy: Bollendorff S - Tara Expeditions Foundation (Surfrider Foundation, 2020)

Read more about this topics at Environmental Science Archives. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ESA - Submissions Open

-
Image
  Environ Sci Arch SUBMISSIONS OPEN VOLUME II ISSUE 2 We would like to invite you to contribute papers for consideration and publication in the Environmental Science Archives (Environ Sci Arch) under Volume II. It is published on a biannual basis (June and December). All submitted articles should be original and must not be under consideration for publication elsewhere. Manuscripts should follow the formatting style of the journal.  ESA  reviews papers within approximately ONE month of submission and publishes accepted articles in the relevant forthcoming issues upon receiving the final versions by the authors. SUBMIT NOW
Read more

ESA - VOLUME I ISSUE 1

-
Image
    VOLUME I ISSUE 1 GO TO THIS ISSUE Published Papers 05/06/22 Microplastics are Everywhere   DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7133067  Zorawar Singh The widespread use and misuse of plastics has resulted in serious environmental degradation issues which need to be addressed with immediate effect. Plastic is one of the most common types of marine debris found in our oceans and lakes. Plastic debris can come in any size and shape. But plastic particles less than five millimeters long are called microplastics. These tiny pieces could take decades or more to degrade fully. Thus, it is important to manage plastic use and disposal. Singh Z (2022) Microplastics are everywhere. Environ Sci Arch 1(1):1-3.  11/06/22 Significance Determination of Best Practices in the Perth-Darwin National Highway (Swan Valley Section), Western Australia   DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7133094  Priya Khangotra Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process to determine, allocate, an...
Read more

ESA - VOLUME II ISSUE 1

-
Image
  VOLUME II ISSUE 1 GO TO THIS ISSUE Published Papers 01/01/23 Nanotoxicological Studies: Still in their Infancy  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7497803  Zorawar Singh Nanoparticles have existed for millions of years on Earth and have been employed by people for different purposes. Similar in size to biological molecules like proteins, nanoparticles can exist in nature. Nanoparticles have dimensions that cannot exceed one hundred nanometers, making them much smaller than human cells. However, because of the comparatively huge amount of surface area that they cover, they are capable of having considerable specific effects.  In recent years, because of the enhanced human capacity to produce synthetic nanoparticles, significant attention has been focused on nanoparticles. Nanoparticle toxicity studies have just lately emerged and are still in their infancy. More attention is needed in the field of nanoparticle toxicology in the coming years to come. Singh Z (2023) Nanotoxi...
Read more