The Microplastic Cycle: An Introduction to a Complex Issue

Abstract

The microplastic cycle was originally and formally introduced and defined as a novel concept and paradigm for understanding plastic pollution and its fluxes across ecosystem reservoirs. This concept has now been expanded to include macroplastic particles and links all aspects of the fate, transport, and effects of plastic pollution, including source-receptor models in the environment, and expanded on previously established perspectives that viewed the plastic pollution issue in a less integrated manner. The value of this paradigm is that this perspective integrates three basic scientific spheres: environmental chemistry, biology (i.e., trophic transfer), and human health. The goal of this chapter is to introduce readers to the microplastic pollution problem and to outline the microplastic cycle as a concept and holistic paradigm for addressing this ubiquitous environmental and potential public health problem. The specific objectives of this chapter were to (1) introduce this volume and its chapters by outlining the microplastic pollution issue in the context of the entire plastic cycle; (2) evaluate fluxes of microplastics across different ecosystem compartments, including the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere. and biosphere, including humans; and (3) provide insights on public policy and potential solutions to the microplastic pollution problem.

Microplastics in aquatic systems, a comprehensive review: origination, accumulation, impact, and removal technologies

“…The spread and cycle of microplastics from urban and industrial settlements to rivers and lakes, as well as transport to the sea and subsequent marine dispersion on the surface and deep in ocean basins have been intensively studied 57–60 (Fig. 5).…”

Micro(nano)plastics Prevalence, Food Web Interactions, and Toxicity Assessment in Aquatic Organisms: A Review

“…As a result of these unique particle characteristics, MPs can enter aquatic food webs at a variety of trophic levels and eco-niches with greater ease. However, in aquatic ecosystems, the distribution, fate and transport mechanisms, bioavailability, and trophic transfer among primary, secondary, and tertiary aquatic biotas are all influenced by these unique characteristics of microplastics (Sharma and Chatterjee, 2017;Bank and Hansson, 2022). Currently, there is a dearth of study on plastic particles transfer through freshwater food webs, and impacts of MPs exposure to freshwater organisms is limited.…”

Direct and Indirect Impacts of Disposable Face Masks and Gloves on Freshwater Benthic Fauna and Sediment Biogeochemistry

“…20,21 These practical shifts enacted to protect exposure to pathogens exacerbated plastic debris, and especially PPE, input to the environment. 22 Plastic debris is now considered ubiquitous across ecosystems, 23 though most detailed information to date is associated with marine ecosystems. 24 Plastic litter enters waterways from myriad sources, including litter, atmospheric deposition, 25 wastewater effluent, 26−28 and stormwater runoff, 29,30 with subsequent transport and fate unclear and removal difficult.…”