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Megaplastics to Nanoplastics: Emerging Environmental Pollutants and Their Environmental Impacts

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Environmental Contaminants: Ecological Implications and Management

Part of the book series: Microorganisms for Sustainability ((MICRO,volume 14))

Abstract

Pollution of pristine environmental resources such as water, air, and soil by various anthropogenic activities is becoming a serious cause of concern, worldwide. Besides many other sources of pollution, plastics have emerged as a rapidly spreading environmental pollutant. Excessive use of plastics in various forms in industrial and/or household applications and their further improper disposal have led to water, soil, and air pollution. This has disturbed the ecological balance of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems largely. Throughout the history of mankind predicted that by 2050, the ocean will see more plastic in marine water than aquatic species, which highlights an alarming situation if the plastic pollution has not been controlled. Considering this severity, in this book chapter, authors shed a light on the current burning issue of plastic pollution by addressing various aspects such as sources of plastics, their applications, pathways of entering plastic debris in environment, and their deteriorating impacts on ecology and human health. Moreover, preventative and control measures are recommended to avoid the environmental damage caused by various forms of plastics. Case studies specific to Asia-Pacific and European countries are also discussed to highlight the global issue of plastic pollution. In short, this chapter will give readers an insight into global status of plastic pollution, political resolutions, upcoming research trends, and environmental policies to help maintain environmental sustainability by handling the danger of plastic pollution in a rational manner.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

    Sayali S. Patil, Rohit V. Bhagwat, Vinay Kumar & Trupti Durugkar

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Pune, India

    Vinay Kumar

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  1. Sayali S. Patil
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  2. Rohit V. Bhagwat
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  3. Vinay Kumar
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  4. Trupti Durugkar
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Correspondence to Sayali S. Patil .

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  1. Laboratory for Bioremediation and Metagenomics Research (LBMR), Department of Microbiology (DM), School for Environmental Sciences (SES), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Ram Naresh Bharagava

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Patil, S.S., Bhagwat, R.V., Kumar, V., Durugkar, T. (2019). Megaplastics to Nanoplastics: Emerging Environmental Pollutants and Their Environmental Impacts. In: Bharagava, R. (eds) Environmental Contaminants: Ecological Implications and Management . Microorganisms for Sustainability, vol 14. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7904-8_10

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