Abstract
Microplastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size are of increasing concern, especially in aquatic environments, such as the ocean. Primary source is microbeads (<1 mm) used in cosmetics and cleaning agents and fiber fragments from washing of clothes, and secondary source such as broken down plastic litter and debris. These particles are mostly made from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyesters. They are ingested by diverse marine fauna, including zooplanktons, mussel, oyster, shrimp, fish etc. and can enter human food chains via several pathways. Strategy for control of microplastics pollution should primarily focus on source reduction and subsequently on the development of cost-effective clean up and remediation technologies. Recent research results on biodegradation of plastics have revealed a potential for microbial biodegradation and bioremediation of plastic pollutants, such as PE, PS and PET under appropriate conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jambeck J R, Geyer R, Wilcox C, Siegler T R, Perryman M, Andrady A, Narayan R, Law K L. Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 2015, 347(6223): 768–771
Cµzar A, Echevarría F, González-Gordillo J I, Irigoien X, Úbeda B, Hernández-León S, Palma Á T, Navarro S, García-de-Lomas J, Ruiz A, Fernández-de-Puelles M L, Duarte C M. Plastic debris in the open ocean. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2014, 111(28): 10239–10244
Cole M, Lindeque P, Halsband C, Galloway T S. Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2011, 62(12): 2588–2597
Zhao S, Zhu L, Wang T, Li D. Suspended microplastics in the surface water of the Yangtze Estuary System, China: first observations on occurrence, distribution. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2014, 86(1-2): 562–568
Fendall L S, Sewell M A. Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: microplastics in facial cleansers. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2009, 58(8): 1225–1228
Andrady A L. Microplastics in the marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2011, 62(8): 1596–1605
Tokiwa Y, Calabia B P, Ugwu C U, Aiba S. Biodegradability of plastics. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2009, 10(9): 3722–3742
Yang J, Yang Y, Wu W M, Zhao J, Jiang L. Evidence of polyethylene biodegradation by bacterial strains from the guts of plastic-eating waxworms. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014, 48(23): 13776–13784
Yang Y, Yang J,WuWM, Zhao J, Song Y, Gao L, Yang R, Jiang L. Biodegradation and mineralization of polystyrene by plastic-eating mealworms: Part 2. Role of gut Microorganisms. Environmental Science & Technology, 2015, 49(20): 12087–12093
Yoshida S, Hiraga K, Takehana T, Taniguchi I, Yamaji H, Maeda Y, Toyohara K, Miyamoto K, Kimura Y, Oda K. A bacterium that degrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate). Science, 2016, 351(6278): 1196–1199
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Ms. Andria T. Wu, DePaul University for figure preparation and Ms. Anja Malawi Brandon, Stanford University, for photograph. This work was supported by the Stanford Woods Institute for Environment (1197667-10-WTAZB).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wu, WM., Yang, J. & Criddle, C.S. Microplastics pollution and reduction strategies. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 11, 6 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-017-0897-7
Received:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-017-0897-7