A study of the impacts of microplastics to water environment in rivers and reservoirs
- Author Kim, Ikjae
- Researchers Whang, Boeun
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Date
2019-12-31
Ⅰ. Background and Aims of Research
ㅇ Background and purpose: As plastic use has increased rapidly since the 1960s, environmental problems have occurred in the water environment since the 1970s. This is not limited to the marine environment but also in the freshwater environment.
- The freshwater environment acts as a transportation route and temporary storage before microplastics flow into the ocean. Most microplastics research is focused on ocean microplastics, so it is necessary to understand domestic and international research on microplastics in freshwater environments.
ㅇ Research structure - Based on previous studies in the literature, this study establishes an academic definition of microplastics. It also reviews research on the occurrence and release of microplastics, compares and analyzes sampling and analysis methods, and analyzes the impact of microplastics on each environmental sector. In addition, it presents directions for microplastics management based on managerial techniques and policy trends of major countries.
Ⅱ. Microplastics Analysis Method for Water Environments
1. Definition and classification of microplastics
ㅇ Definition of microplastics - Currently, microplastics are generally understood to be plastic matter under five millimeters long, but some studies challenge this definition.
ㅇ Classification according to discharge method - Primary microplastics are processed for a specific purpose in the production stage, and secondary microplastics are particles from which plastic products are physically and chemically broken down or decomposed, and are caus
ㅇ Background and purpose: As plastic use has increased rapidly since the 1960s, environmental problems have occurred in the water environment since the 1970s. This is not limited to the marine environment but also in the freshwater environment.
- The freshwater environment acts as a transportation route and temporary storage before microplastics flow into the ocean. Most microplastics research is focused on ocean microplastics, so it is necessary to understand domestic and international research on microplastics in freshwater environments.
ㅇ Research structure - Based on previous studies in the literature, this study establishes an academic definition of microplastics. It also reviews research on the occurrence and release of microplastics, compares and analyzes sampling and analysis methods, and analyzes the impact of microplastics on each environmental sector. In addition, it presents directions for microplastics management based on managerial techniques and policy trends of major countries.
Ⅱ. Microplastics Analysis Method for Water Environments
1. Definition and classification of microplastics
ㅇ Definition of microplastics - Currently, microplastics are generally understood to be plastic matter under five millimeters long, but some studies challenge this definition.
ㅇ Classification according to discharge method - Primary microplastics are processed for a specific purpose in the production stage, and secondary microplastics are particles from which plastic products are physically and chemically broken down or decomposed, and are caus