2 Management of microplastics in the marine environment
MPs in marine waters and their adverse effects have been reported since the early 1970s, giving rise to research based on MPs in aqueous environments (Carpenter and Smith, 1972).
To date, most research has addressed the distribution, transport, fate, and toxicity of MNPs in aquatic and terrestrial environments in the form of case studies (Kanhai et al., 2017; Nobre et al., 2015). Some data, such as quantity, quality, source identification, and estimates of plastics, are available for the sustainable management of MNPs. However, the problem of MNPs in the environment persists and is increasing gradually. This implies that unidentified gaps exist at the interface of research findings and practical actions, which may be due to global, regional, and local challenges, as well as the lack of infrastructure. Various studies have been conducted on sustainable plastic waste management techniques, such as source reduction, value addition, and beneficial utilization via regulatory and legislative changes.
Conclusion and future direction
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