Microplastics as Emerging Contaminants: Occurrence, Toxicology, and Analysis

Abstract

The ever-increasing production of plastics and concomitant poor plastic waste disposal systems explain the recent rising concerns over the occurrence of microplastics in freshwater resources. Microplastics are presently recognized as emerging contaminants owing to the increasing reports on their occurrence in the environment and the associated toxicological effects. This chapter discusses the recent trends in the monitoring of microplastics in freshwater resources, the toxicological effects of microplastics, and the sampling and analysis techniques available for detection and quantification. The challenges in analysis and comparison of various studies and future prospects have also been highlighted.