1 Introduction to Aquatic Biopolymers
3
• Source biopolymers with more diverse chemistry to address complex health issues,
meet the demand for novel materials and address bacteria resistance.
• Replace non-biodegradable plastics which presently are having deteriorating
impact on aquatic life and water resource by augmenting the feedstock for bioplastic production with aquatic biopolymers which have faster biomass accumulation
rate.
• Alternatives to depleting fossil resources which do not require use of land or
freshwater to cultivate.
• Value addition to aquatic resources to serve as a means of improved income for
developing countries and emerging economies where a lot of the fishing activities
occur.
• Development of biorefinery through increased feedstock from aquatic waste and
excess abundant resources.
This book takes a new approach to developing understanding of polymers by
focusing on polymers derived from specifically the aquatic ecosystem. In so doing,
it presents a much broader view of polymers, the opportunities, impact and key issues
in the polymer and aquatic industry. Each chapter introduces the reader to the different
chemical structures of polymers and how these could vary from simple linear to quite
complex non-uniform structures. In exploring the production processes, the reader
learns about different techniques which are used in the polymer industry and where
possible some case studies of specific companies are included.
In the process of discussing the sources of polymers, a variety of species of organisms are explored, showing how polymers exist across the five kingdoms and all over
the food web. The ubiquity of polymers is further established through reviewing the
numerous applications of each aquatic biopolymer covered. The current issues facing
the aquatic environment and the environmental impact of the extraction processes are
also discussed. This gives the reader a rich understanding of the biopolymer resource
of the aquatic ecosystem, their economic and environmental significance.
References
Christophe M, Rachid A, Mario L (2015) Fish as a reference species in different water masses.
Aquat Ecotoxicol, 309–331
Hitchcock JN, Mitrovic M (2019) Microplastic pollution in estuaries across a gradient of human
impact. Environ Pollut 247:457–466
Linley TD, Gerringer ME, Yancey PH, Drazen JC, Weinstock CL, Jamieson AJ (2016) Deep sea
research part I: oceanographic research papers, 114:99–110
Prabhu M, Chemodanov A, Gottlieb R, Kazir M, Goldberg A (2019) Starch from the sea: the
green macroalga Ulva ohnoi as a potential source for sustainable starch production in the marine
biorefinery. Algal Res 37:215–227
3
• Source biopolymers with more diverse chemistry to address complex health issues,
meet the demand for novel materials and address bacteria resistance.
• Replace non-biodegradable plastics which presently are having deteriorating
impact on aquatic life and water resource by augmenting the feedstock for bioplastic production with aquatic biopolymers which have faster biomass accumulation
rate.
• Alternatives to depleting fossil resources which do not require use of land or
freshwater to cultivate.
• Value addition to aquatic resources to serve as a means of improved income for
developing countries and emerging economies where a lot of the fishing activities
occur.
• Development of biorefinery through increased feedstock from aquatic waste and
excess abundant resources.
This book takes a new approach to developing understanding of polymers by
focusing on polymers derived from specifically the aquatic ecosystem. In so doing,
it presents a much broader view of polymers, the opportunities, impact and key issues
in the polymer and aquatic industry. Each chapter introduces the reader to the different
chemical structures of polymers and how these could vary from simple linear to quite
complex non-uniform structures. In exploring the production processes, the reader
learns about different techniques which are used in the polymer industry and where
possible some case studies of specific companies are included.
In the process of discussing the sources of polymers, a variety of species of organisms are explored, showing how polymers exist across the five kingdoms and all over
the food web. The ubiquity of polymers is further established through reviewing the
numerous applications of each aquatic biopolymer covered. The current issues facing
the aquatic environment and the environmental impact of the extraction processes are
also discussed. This gives the reader a rich understanding of the biopolymer resource
of the aquatic ecosystem, their economic and environmental significance.
References
Christophe M, Rachid A, Mario L (2015) Fish as a reference species in different water masses.
Aquat Ecotoxicol, 309–331
Hitchcock JN, Mitrovic M (2019) Microplastic pollution in estuaries across a gradient of human
impact. Environ Pollut 247:457–466
Linley TD, Gerringer ME, Yancey PH, Drazen JC, Weinstock CL, Jamieson AJ (2016) Deep sea
research part I: oceanographic research papers, 114:99–110
Prabhu M, Chemodanov A, Gottlieb R, Kazir M, Goldberg A (2019) Starch from the sea: the
green macroalga Ulva ohnoi as a potential source for sustainable starch production in the marine
biorefinery. Algal Res 37:215–227