Nano and Micro-Plastics in Aquatic Systems

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality research and review articles on the latest knowledge about the chemical characteristics of micro- and nano-plastics, as well as their chemical risks of release into the environment.

Over time, pollution has increased to the same extent as human activities. Since its emergence in the 19^th century, plastic has made human life more bearable, bringing innumerable benefits to our society. However, overproduction and irresponsible management have led to plastic waste reaching the planet’s most remote habitats. A particular concern is plastic in the form of micro- and nano-particles.

This Special Issue aims to publish recent advances and state-of-the-art research articles and reviews from the core of the field of chemical research to address the growing problem and impact of this anthropogenic pollutant on the environment and human health.

Research fields at the frontiers of chemistry and molecular sciences, such as biology, biochemistry, ecotoxicology, environmental safety, chemical engineering, materials science and technology, and food chemistry, will be used to achieve this goal.

The Special Issue will focus on but is not limited to the following topics:

• Colloidal behavior of MNPs in aqueous media.
• Chemical characterization of MNPs in aqueous media.
• Sorption of various compounds on MNPs (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, metals, metal-NPs, PAHs, PCBs) under different physicochemical conditions.
• Dynamics of desorption—dependence on physicochemical conditions.
• Chemical weathering and subsequent aging of MNPs concerning pH, temperature, and surrounding media chemical characteristics.
• MNPs' interactions with proteins (including enzymes and hormones).
• Degradation of MNPs in various chemical conditions (including advanced oxidation processes and photochemical degradation).
• Biodegradation of MNPs—promising enzymatic reactions, consumption by mycelium.

Dr. Antonio Cid-Samamed
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• micro/nanoplastics (MNPs)
• MNPs’ characterization
• MNPs’ colloidal behavior
• MNPs’ sorption/desorption of other pollutants
• MNPs’ aging
• MNPs’ degradation