Microplastic Contamination in Aquatic Environments: An Emerging Matter of Environmental Urgency

This second edition of Microplastic Contamination in Aquatic Environments: An Emerging Matter of Environmental Urgency presents 14 chapters, through which a team of global, expert contributors cover a full range of microplastic research. The first chapter describes the general patterns for sources, occurrence, and transport of microplastics to lead off the book. The next batch of chapters covers sampling analytical methods for quantifying microplastics in the environment, followed by chapters addressing the association of chemicals with microplastics. A large cluster of chapters focus on the fate and transport of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, freshwater systems, marine environment, terrestrial settings, and riverine runoff that connects terrestrial and marine systems. The next few chapters examine biotransport and effects of microplastics in organisms. The last two chapters are dedicated to two emerging research areas: nanoplastics in the environment and management strategies for global plastic pollution. Outlooks for future research to better understand the situation and further improvements of microplastic research are also covered.

In the 6 years since the previous edition published, this fast-moving area has evolved, and the contents of this revision reflect that. There are numerous brand-new chapters, chapters that have been revised, and chapters that have been completely refocused. This book provides an overview of microplastics research. It is a guide for researchers to better understand the occurrence of microplastics. Ideally, this book provides basic background knowledge of microplastics for oceanographers, ecologists, and climatologists.

• Provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for sampling, identification, and enumeration of microplastics
• Contains contributions from world experts with a diverse range of backgrounds, all brought together by a well-known, experienced editor
• Presents information on microplastics in a unified place, with easy access for the reader

Dr. Eddy Y. Zeng is a Full Professor and Dean of the School of Environment, Jinan University, China. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Southern California in 1992. He was employed by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project first as Senior Scientist and then Principal Scientist for a number of years, before returning to China in 2004. His research interests include 1) intercompartmental processes and fluxes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs); 2) human exposure to persistent toxic substances and risk assessment; 3) occurrence and toxic effects of microplastics/plastics in terrestrial and aquatic environments; and 4) the utility of using passive sampler to measure freely dissolved concentrations of POPs in the aquatic environment. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Pollution and Associate Editor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. He also served as guest editors on numerous journals.