Microplastics in the Ecosphere
Discover the environmental impact of microplastics with this comprehensive resource
Microplastics are the minute quantities of plastic that result from industrial processes, household release and the breakdown of larger plastic items. Widespread reliance on plastic goods and, particularly, single-use plastics, which has been increased by the COVID-19 pandemic, has made microplastics ubiquitous; they can be found throughout the ecosphere, including in the bloodstreams of humans and other animals. As these plastics emerge as a potential threat to the environment and to public health, it has never been more critical to understand their distribution and environmental impact.
Microplastics in the Ecosphere aims to cultivate that understanding with a comprehensive overview of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems. It analyzes microplastic distribution in aerosphere, hydrosphere, and soil, tracing these plastics from their production on land to their distribution—overwhelmingly—in maritime ecosystems. The result is a book that will inform researchers and policymakers as we look to tackle this emerging challenge globally.
Microplastics in the Ecosphere readers will also find:
- Introductory information about the production and distribution of single-use plastics
- An emphasis on management and mitigation strategies designed to reduce contamination over time
- A multidisciplinary approach, combining concepts and analytical techniques from a range of scientific fields
Microplastics in the Ecosphere is a valuable guide for researchers and scientists, advanced undergraduate and graduate students, industry professionals, and policymakers looking to understand the impact of these widespread materials.
Meththika Vithanage, PhD is a Professor and founding Director of the Ecosphere Resilience Research Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. She holds adjunct professor positions in the UWA, Australia, UPES, India and NIFS, Sri Lanka. She has published more widely than any other environmental science researcher in Sri Lanka. She is a Highly Cited Researcher and publishes widely in the field of Environmental Science.
Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad, PhD is Emeritus Professor at the School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India. He has decades of experience teaching and publishing on environmental science subjects, and his awards include the 2007 Pitamber Pant National Environment Fellowship by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India.