Hazards and Improvement Measures of Microplastic Pollution: A Review

¹ Reading Academy, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
² College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
³ College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
⁴ School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
⁵ Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.

^* Corresponding author: wangwm17@mails.jlu.edu.cn (Wang Wenmin)
^† These authors contributed equally.

Abstract

Microplastics is one category of plastics with relatively small diameter and is considered as the common ingredient of waste accumulation zone in oceans. However, since countless plastic products are emitted into oceans annually as waste all around the world, pollution caused by them is severe and the resulting problems have attracted attention globally, while current policies and cooperation around the globe for tackling microplastics pollution still need to be improved. To deal with microplatics-related problems in the ocean, our review first discussed the toxicity of microplastics based on previous research related to marine microplastics, which was caused by the plastics themselves and their leaching substances with impacts on marine creatures and human body along the food chain. After summarizing some measures that have been already performed, we suggested that the authority should take more actions to mitigate those problems resulted from microplastics, pay more attention on researching, and encourage citizens to offer their proposals. By finally analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of different handling methods, as well as physical, chemical, and biological treatment technologies on oceanic microplastic issues, our work provided experience on disposing microplastics waste under various actual situations with an example for more holistic waste treatment.