Microplastics in African and Asian Environments (eBook)

This innovative book tackles the pressing global environmental issue of microplastic pollution, with a particular focus on the diverse and ecologically significant regions of Africa and Asia. Through comprehensive analysis, it unveils the alarming extent of microplastic contamination in these regions, highlighting the urgent need for attention and action. The book provides a thorough introduction to microplastics, exploring their composition, formation process, and mechanisms of infiltration into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It explains their transport mechanisms, their presence in air, water, soil, sediments, wetlands, and their far-reaching ecological impacts on food security and human health. It investigates their direct and indirect effects on public health, including inhalation, ingestion, toxicological implications, and overall consequences. The book also examines the interactions between human activities, socioeconomic factors, and microplastic proliferation across different environmental compartments. Drawing insights from case studies across coastal cities and remote rural areas, the book illustrates the scope and magnitude of this problem in Africa and Asia. Furthermore, it provides an overview of analytical techniques and methodologies employed in microplastic research, such as GIS, remote sensing, spectroscopy, and computational modelling. It meticulously analyzes current mitigation techniques, best practices, policy frameworks, and the role of public awareness in addressing this issue. The book offers insights into future research directions, mitigation strategies, and broader ecological and human health aspects of microplastic pollution. Designed as a graduate-level resource, this interdisciplinary book is invaluable for researchers across disciplines, policymakers working in these regions, and anyone concerned about the pervasive issue of microplastic pollution and its far-reaching consequences across several other regions of the world.