Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Systems: Challenges, Strategies, and Innovative Solutions for a Circular Economy

Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Systems: Challenges, Strategies, and Innovative Solutions for a Circular Economy provides a comprehensive analysis of the sources, transport mechanisms, and environmental fate of microplastics, emphasizing their ecotoxicological impacts. The book systematically explores advanced remediation technologies, including membrane filtration, nanofiber-based separation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), biodegradation, and nature-based treatment approaches such as constructed wetlands. Furthermore, it examines circular economy strategies, sustainable waste management frameworks, and the development of bioplastics as integrated solutions to plastic waste mitigation.

With contributions from leading experts, this book serves as an essential reference for researchers, environmental scientists, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking evidence-based strategies for plastic waste reduction and sustainable development. Through interdisciplinary insights, it advances the discourse on plastic pollution governance and supports the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Provides a holistic view of pollution in aquatic systems, integrating science, sustainable measures, and policies
• Offers comprehensive strategies for plastic pollution management that are aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Covers advanced AI technologies used in real case scenarios to help readers understand new applications

Dr. Minh-Ky Nguyen is a senior researcher at Nong Lam University, Vietnam. His expertise lies in environmental science and engineering, specifically focusing on applications in coastal environments. Dr. Nguyen's research interests include the fate and transport of micropollutants, ecological risk investigation, and nature-based treatment approaches. He is also involved in exploring sustainable practices in aquatic systems and researching eco-friendly solutions like constructed wetlands to treat water polluted by microplastics. His research aligns with global sustainability goals, aiming to contribute to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems and improve environmental management practices. He has authored approximately 60 international publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and 6 book chapters, contributing significantly to his field of study.

Dr. Minh-Thuan Pham is a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan, specializing in catalytic ceramic filtration, nanofiber-based air and water purification, and microplastic remediation. He earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Chung Yuan Christian University, graduating in the top 1% with a full scholarship. His research focuses on advanced filtration technologies, photocatalytic membranes, and nanomaterial-based solutions for air and water pollution control, with an emphasis on NOx, VOCs, CO2 capture, and microplastic removal. He has pioneered high-temperature ceramic nanofiber filters for industrial flue gas treatment and catalytic membranes for wastewater purification, contributing to innovative environmental engineering solutions.

Prof. Guo-Ping Chang-Chien is a leading expert in environmental chemistry, air pollution control, and emerging contaminant research, serving as the Director of the Center for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research at Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from National Cheng Kung University and over 40 years of research experience, he specializes in persistent organic pollutants (POPs), flue gas emissions, and microplastic contamination in wastewater systems. His research focuses on advanced remediation technologies, including membrane filtration, adsorption techniques, and advanced oxidation processes for pollutant removal. He has published 275 papers, ranking 5199th globally and 14th in Taiwan in Environmental Sciences. A recipient of the Academic Medal for Environmental Protection, he is also a peer reviewer for leading journals, contributing to innovations in microplastic fate, transport, and treatment for sustainable environmental management.

Prof. Lin-Chi Wang is a Professor in the Department of Marine Environmental Engineering at National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from National Cheng Kung University in 2003. His research focuses on microplastic pollution, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and their environmental pathways, particularly their interactions in cloud and fog water systems. His work has provided critical insights into the long-range transport of contaminants and their ecological risks. With 170 SCI-indexed publications in top-tier journals, his research has been cited 6,432 times. In 2023, Research.com ranked him 18th among Taiwan’s top environmental scientists, highlighting his significant contributions to environmental monitoring, pollution control strategies, and sensor-based approaches for microplastic detection and workplace exposure assessment.