Abstract
This review is a critical analysis of current freshwater and terrestrial research with an emphasis on transport, behaviour, fate and subsequent ecological impacts that plastic pollution poses. The current methods of extraction and evaluation of organic-rich samples are also explored for both micro- and nanoplastics. Furthermore, micro- and nanoplastics are discussed with reference to their environmental and health implications for biota. Regulations imposed on the manufacture and distribution of plastics globally are also noted. Within the review, the current literature has been presented and knowledge gaps identified. These include the characterization and quantification of micro- and nanoplastics entering and forming within the freshwater and terrestrial environment, the fate and behaviour of micro- and nanoplastics under varying conditions and the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.
Highlights
Plastic has become one of the most ubiquitous materials since its inception in 1907 as phenol-formaldehyde resin (i.e., Bakelite) [1]
The majority of microplastic research has been conducted in marine environments, which has identified a missing link: there is much more plastic discharged into the environment than marine sampling methods are recording [3]
Once the microplastic is in the gastrointestinal tract it can leach plastic additives, as well as any toxin that it may have adsorbed when discharged to the environment (i.e., persistent organic pollutants (POPs))
Summary
Plastic has become one of the most ubiquitous materials since its inception in 1907 as phenol-formaldehyde resin (i.e., Bakelite) [1]. When plastic was originally introduced it was thought that its imperviousness to water and extreme versatility made it a dream material. These attributes do make plastic a very useful material, they influence its impact on the Earth. The majority of microplastic research has been conducted in marine environments, which has identified a missing link: there is much more plastic discharged into the environment than marine sampling methods are recording [3]. This gap has helped to emphasise the need for freshwater and terrestrial micro- and nanoplastic research. The objective of this review is to evaluate the current understanding of micro- and nanoplastics in freshwater and terrestrial environments and identify the knowledge gaps and key areas of focus for future studies
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