Risk associated with MPs in urban waterways

Abstract

MPs are complex environmental contaminants as they bind to a wide range of other contaminants. MPs associated contaminants include toxic chemical compounds that are used as additives during the plastic manufacturing process and various contaminants such as organic compounds, metals and microorganisms that are adsorbed from the surrounding environment. The organic and inorganic contaminants attached to MPs will exert direct and indirect impacts on aquatic environments due to the presence and migration processes of MPs. This chapter provides a detailed discussion on the environmental risks of MPs in urban aquatic environments arising from the release/sorption mechanisms between MPs and common contaminants, namely, metals and organic compounds. Additionally, this chapter also identifies the impacts of MPs on aquatic microorganisms from a risk assessment perspective.