closed systems with subsequent fluid recovery, making it very easy for them to end
up in the environment through wastewater (Duis and Coors 2016). Microplastics can
also be part of paints used for ships, increasing the emission of microparticles into
the environment as the paint degrades and chip (Sundt et al. 2014). Pellets of virgin
polymers can also be a source of primary microplastics. These pellets can be lost
unintentionally during transport. Also, a loss of these pellets can be performed in the
polymer processing facilities (Van Cauwenberghe et al. 2013). In fact, large ports
and local plastic industries near the coast are the main sources of pellet contamination of the ocean and seawaters.
The main sources of secondary microplastics are tire wear and the washing of
synthetic textile apparel. Tire wear accounts for approximately 5–10% of the world’s
total amount of microplastics ending up in the oceans (Kole et al. 2017). On the other
hand, the washing of synthetic garments results in the release from two sources.
Detergents may contain microplastics, and if there are no adequate filters for
wastewater or water vapor, release to the environment occurs. In addition, a standard
garment with some polymer can release up to 100 fibers per wash into the environment, and some garments have been shown to release up to 1900 fibers per wash
(Browne et al. 2011).
Another source of secondary microplastics is the generation through the fragmentation of larger plastics. This happens when larger plastic waste is deposited on
beaches or floating in water, exposed to solar radiation and weathering agents.
Gradually, these wastes lose their mechanical and structural properties; their surfaces
break down and decompose into smaller pieces until they reach the size of a
microplastic (Auta et al. 2017).
It is hard to identify specifically how all these microplastics reach the water, but
plastic debris can easily enter the different watercourses and oceans in different ways
that include dumping or littering, effluents of water treatment plants, ineffective
waste management, and even stormwater drainage systems. In Fig. 1.4, a schematic
diagram shows the key sources and drive pathways.
1.3 Overview of Methods Used for the Sampling,
Extraction, Purification, and Identification
of Microplastics in the Environment
1.3.1 Sampling
Water Samples
Nets of different mesh sizes are the preferred technique used for sampling
microplastics in waters. Particularly, bongo nets, plankton nets, and near-bottom
trawls are extensively used for water column sampling, while manta trawls and
neuston nets are used for surface water sampling (Wang and Wang 2018). Other
6
V. Godoy et al.
up in the environment through wastewater (Duis and Coors 2016). Microplastics can
also be part of paints used for ships, increasing the emission of microparticles into
the environment as the paint degrades and chip (Sundt et al. 2014). Pellets of virgin
polymers can also be a source of primary microplastics. These pellets can be lost
unintentionally during transport. Also, a loss of these pellets can be performed in the
polymer processing facilities (Van Cauwenberghe et al. 2013). In fact, large ports
and local plastic industries near the coast are the main sources of pellet contamination of the ocean and seawaters.
The main sources of secondary microplastics are tire wear and the washing of
synthetic textile apparel. Tire wear accounts for approximately 5–10% of the world’s
total amount of microplastics ending up in the oceans (Kole et al. 2017). On the other
hand, the washing of synthetic garments results in the release from two sources.
Detergents may contain microplastics, and if there are no adequate filters for
wastewater or water vapor, release to the environment occurs. In addition, a standard
garment with some polymer can release up to 100 fibers per wash into the environment, and some garments have been shown to release up to 1900 fibers per wash
(Browne et al. 2011).
Another source of secondary microplastics is the generation through the fragmentation of larger plastics. This happens when larger plastic waste is deposited on
beaches or floating in water, exposed to solar radiation and weathering agents.
Gradually, these wastes lose their mechanical and structural properties; their surfaces
break down and decompose into smaller pieces until they reach the size of a
microplastic (Auta et al. 2017).
It is hard to identify specifically how all these microplastics reach the water, but
plastic debris can easily enter the different watercourses and oceans in different ways
that include dumping or littering, effluents of water treatment plants, ineffective
waste management, and even stormwater drainage systems. In Fig. 1.4, a schematic
diagram shows the key sources and drive pathways.
1.3 Overview of Methods Used for the Sampling,
Extraction, Purification, and Identification
of Microplastics in the Environment
1.3.1 Sampling
Water Samples
Nets of different mesh sizes are the preferred technique used for sampling
microplastics in waters. Particularly, bongo nets, plankton nets, and near-bottom
trawls are extensively used for water column sampling, while manta trawls and
neuston nets are used for surface water sampling (Wang and Wang 2018). Other
6
V. Godoy et al.