A Global Perspective of Beginning to the End of the Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: Tracing the Missing Link – Bioplastics

초록

Plastic is one of the materials that can be easily manufactured and can be used in a variety of applications. Plastics have massive social and economic value when compared to natural materials. The improper management of waste materials made of plastic could lead to an increase of as considerable as 265 million Mt/y by the year 2060. The rapid decomposition of plastics resulting in the formation of tiny particles called microplastics (5 mm in size) which actively migrate into the marine environment during the rainy season or they may be formed in the marine environment itself by the plastics dumped therein. As a result, there is a high accumulation of plastic debris in marine water and sediment, which has a variety of effects on marine biota. These microplastics are consumed by various animals and humans through the food chain, resulting in various health issues such as endocrine disruption, cancer, neurobehavioral variations, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. At present, several technologies (including chemical and biological processes) have been used to combat plastic pollution; however, these techniques have several drawbacks. Therefore, the development of bioplastic materials is a feasible way to reduce microplastic contamination. Microbes and different waste materials including animal wastes and plant residues are suitable for the development of environment-friendly bioplastics. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, A. Arun, Kunyu Zhang, Sudhakar Muniyasamy and Rathinam Raja; individual chapters, the contributors.