Microplastics in the Marine Environment, Freshwater and Sewage Sludge: Occurrence and Biological Impact on Aquatic Organisms

Dear Colleagues,

Plastics have achieved a crucial status in modern society, with extensive use in a myriad of applications because of their favorable properties. Despite the undeniable societal advantages of plastics, and because of their large production and widespread daily consumption, associated with often-inadequate collection and recycling systems, plastics have become a growing global concern due to their ubiquitous persistence and bioavailability in aquatic biota as microplastics, and nanoplastics. Though in recent decades, the scientific community has largely focused on the occurrence of microplastics in aquatic environments, the body of knowledge regarding the accumulation and biological effects of environmental microplastics is still significantly limited compared to that on manufactured microplastics.Moreover, there are still several aspects that need deeper investigation, such as the release of additives from microplastics, interactions between microplastics and environmental pollutants, as well as their transfer through different trophic levels following ingestion, with serious implications for predators, including humans.

Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes any novel exciting research on microplastics occurrence in aquatic environments, with a special focus on the impact they might have on the ecosystem and biota, including their transfer through the food web and possible implications for human health. Studies exploring innovative methodologies for the characterization and quantification of microplastics in environmental matrices and biota, as well as for their elimination or for the mitigation of their harmfulness, or focusing on natural biodegradable materials that can replace plastics, are also welcome.

Dr. Tiziana Cappello
Prof. Dr. Mohamed Banni
Guest Editors

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