Handbook of Microplastic Pollution in the Environment

In this timely handbook, one of a series of three, leading contributors from around the world offer practical insight into the challenges and opportunities for using various technologies to tackle microplastic pollution and improve microplastic management in agricultural soil. Through this book, readers will gain a deep understanding of microplastic pollution in soils and its effects and knowledge of strategies and technologies to identify, monitor, and combat this. Early chapters describe microplastics in the rural environment, their accumulation, and their effects on soil biological processes and biodiversity, before moving on to address identification, analysis, and monitoring. Finally, they address innovative solutions for soil remediation, such as microbial strain engineering and other techniques. An introduction is provided at the beginning of each chapter for those interested in a brief synopsis, and copious references are provided for those wishing to study each chapter topic in greater detail. This book furnishes readers with the knowledge to identify and monitor microplastic levels in soil and reduce these to mitigate their harmful effects on soil biodiversity and ecosystems in agricultural soil, improving environmental and human health and minimizing economic losses. For a wider perspective, readers are encouraged to refer to the other two titles in this series, subtitled Microplastic Pollution in Aquatic Environments and Monitoring and Treatment of Microplastics and Policy Perspectives. In its exploration of the relationships among the characteristics of microplastics, their mobility, transport pathways, and treatment, this handbook represents a vital practical guide for academics, industry-based researchers, and policymakers worldwide to address soil biodiversity and ecological health.