The Microplastics in Aquatic Environments: Sources, Distribution and Effects

Dear Colleagues,

Microplastics have become a hot topic which has been attracting more and more attention. Microplastics, ranging from 1 µm to 5 mm in size, are tiny plastic particles made of synthetic polymers of different shapes and colors. Generally, microplastics come from two main sources based on their generation, that is, the primary and secondary source. These microplastics enter the aquatic environment through various pathways, including runoff, atmospheric deposition, wind, disposal, and so on. Lots of reports have shown that these particles are distributed widely in water, soil, and air in our planet, and ingested directly and indirectly by various organisms, including humans, resulting in unpredicted impacts on health. To take precautionary measures to prevent the potential ecosystem disaster and health risk caused by microplastics, it is necessary to fill in the knowledge gaps of microplastics in the environment, including the source, distribution, and impacts on organisms, which are important to address the global issue in the coming years.

Prof. Dr. Lihui An
Dr. Li Xu
Dr. Lixin Zhu
Guest Editors

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