Treatment Methods and Hazards Analysis of Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are tiny plastic shards with a diameter of less than 5 millimeters that are produced by many processes like the splintering of synthetic fibers. MPs pollution has become a serious problem for the ecosystem. These minute plastic fragments are already pervasive in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, endangering wildlife, ecosystems, and perhaps even human health. This paper lists and compares various MPs treatment methods, explains the potential hazards of MPs, and concludes with recommendations by comparing policies and measures in different countries. In this paper, MPs treatment methods are classified as physical, chemical and biological based on different mechanisms of action, and new treatment methods are found to have the advantage of saving resources and improving removal efficiency. The potential hazards of MPs are seen in the restriction of the activities of marine organisms, leading to drowning, asphyxiation or inflammatory reactions, and in the human population, where they enter the human system through the food chain and accumulate in various tissues, ultimately endangering health. Furthermore, by comparing the measures taken by countries to deal with plastic waste, countries should develop policies that are compatible with the disposal of MPs. This study has important implications for the development and innovation of MPs removal technology, providing a more effective and sustainable solution for countries to address MPs pollution.