tonnes of plastics are produced worldwide in 2018. From 1950 to 2018, approximately 6.3 billion tonnes of plastics have been manufactured worldwide, of which
only 9% has been recycled and 12% has been incinerated (Velzeboer et al. 2014).
Notwithstanding the fact that water bodies are also greatly affected by heavy metals
that are found in e-waste. Our main concern is that such exposures are limited and
will affect the diversity of aquatic organisms. There have also been alterations in the
abundance and biomass of surviving species and changes in food chains. In addition
to the hazardous effects on marine life, cleanliness of our living environment has
decreased and has been contributing to climate change. Water pollution is affected
by the production, use, and disposal of these wastes (Andrady 2011; Bhattacharya
et al. 2010).
Presence of microplastics is one of the biggest problems for plastic pollution.
These micro-/nanoplastic particles are either fabricated by human being for the
production of other useful products or some time nature creates it by breaking
down larger plastics into small by erosion or heat obtained by sun. Pervasive form
of the microplastic is microfiber, which is usually used in the production of synthetic
fabrics: nylon, polyester, etc. It is made of tiny strands of plastics. A recent study
confirms that in a single wash of these fabrics, approximately 250 thousand fibers
can be released (Hidalgo-Ruz et al. 2012). Their worst effect is dependent on their
size and efficiency to avoid most filters. These microfibers enter into the bloodstreams of various organisms through which they are consumed. A recent analysis
reveals that 83% microplastics are present in tap water of big cities and 93% from
world’s top brand bottled water (Pico and Barcelo 2019). Many researchers have
studied the effect of plastics on human health (Wright and Kelley 2017; Smith et al.
2018). The presence of plastic contamination in the environment has been inferred to
affect the ecosystem, and it has been crucial to develop a perfect and focused way to
remove it (Parrales et al. 2018).
E-waste contaminates water by two ways: (a) e-waste dumped into landfill
without proper disposal management; and (b) unawareness of recycling and scrapping of e-waste. E-waste contains precious metals and polymers, which make it
lucrative for recycle and reuse. Due to continuous advancement in electronic
devices, the extraction requires shredding, burning, leaching, and other processing
techniques that release toxic byproducts into air, water, and soil. Chemical processes
used to extract precious metals like gold, platinum, and copper from electronic
devices highly affect surface water. Various technologies and methods have been
developed to reuse or reduce the effect of e-waste (Hsu et al. 2019).
4.2 Effects of e-Waste
A. On ecosystem
The greatest impact on ecosystems through water sources contaminated by e-waste
is through acidification of surface waterways. It kills marine and freshwater organisms, disrupts biodiversity, enables some species to dominate over others, and
4 Plastics and e-Waste, a Threat to Water Systems
121
only 9% has been recycled and 12% has been incinerated (Velzeboer et al. 2014).
Notwithstanding the fact that water bodies are also greatly affected by heavy metals
that are found in e-waste. Our main concern is that such exposures are limited and
will affect the diversity of aquatic organisms. There have also been alterations in the
abundance and biomass of surviving species and changes in food chains. In addition
to the hazardous effects on marine life, cleanliness of our living environment has
decreased and has been contributing to climate change. Water pollution is affected
by the production, use, and disposal of these wastes (Andrady 2011; Bhattacharya
et al. 2010).
Presence of microplastics is one of the biggest problems for plastic pollution.
These micro-/nanoplastic particles are either fabricated by human being for the
production of other useful products or some time nature creates it by breaking
down larger plastics into small by erosion or heat obtained by sun. Pervasive form
of the microplastic is microfiber, which is usually used in the production of synthetic
fabrics: nylon, polyester, etc. It is made of tiny strands of plastics. A recent study
confirms that in a single wash of these fabrics, approximately 250 thousand fibers
can be released (Hidalgo-Ruz et al. 2012). Their worst effect is dependent on their
size and efficiency to avoid most filters. These microfibers enter into the bloodstreams of various organisms through which they are consumed. A recent analysis
reveals that 83% microplastics are present in tap water of big cities and 93% from
world’s top brand bottled water (Pico and Barcelo 2019). Many researchers have
studied the effect of plastics on human health (Wright and Kelley 2017; Smith et al.
2018). The presence of plastic contamination in the environment has been inferred to
affect the ecosystem, and it has been crucial to develop a perfect and focused way to
remove it (Parrales et al. 2018).
E-waste contaminates water by two ways: (a) e-waste dumped into landfill
without proper disposal management; and (b) unawareness of recycling and scrapping of e-waste. E-waste contains precious metals and polymers, which make it
lucrative for recycle and reuse. Due to continuous advancement in electronic
devices, the extraction requires shredding, burning, leaching, and other processing
techniques that release toxic byproducts into air, water, and soil. Chemical processes
used to extract precious metals like gold, platinum, and copper from electronic
devices highly affect surface water. Various technologies and methods have been
developed to reuse or reduce the effect of e-waste (Hsu et al. 2019).
4.2 Effects of e-Waste
A. On ecosystem
The greatest impact on ecosystems through water sources contaminated by e-waste
is through acidification of surface waterways. It kills marine and freshwater organisms, disrupts biodiversity, enables some species to dominate over others, and
4 Plastics and e-Waste, a Threat to Water Systems
121