Microplastic Exposure Assessment in Aquatic Environments: Learning from Similarities and Differences to Engineered Nanoparticles
- Author(s)
- Thorsten Hüffer, Antonia Praetorius, Wagner Stephan, Frank von der Kammer, Thilo Hofmann
- Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been identified as contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments and research into their behavior and fate has been sharply increasing in recent years. Nevertheless, significant gaps remain in our understanding of several crucial aspects of MP exposure and risk assessment, including the quantification of emissions, dominant fate processes, types of analytical tools required for characterization and monitoring, and adequate laboratory protocols for analysis and hazard testing. This Feature aims at identifying transferrable knowledge and experience from engineered nanoparticle (ENP) exposure assessment. This is achieved by comparing ENP and MPs based on their similarities as particulate contaminants, whereas critically discussing specific differences. We also highlight the most pressing research priorities to support an efficient development of tools and methods for MPs environmental risk assessment.
- Organisation(s)
- External organisation(s)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung
- Journal
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Volume
- 51
- Pages
- 2499-2507
- No. of pages
- 9
- ISSN
- 0013-936X
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b04054
- Publication date
- 03-2017
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 104023 Environmental chemistry, 104002 Analytical chemistry, 105906 Environmental geosciences, 210004 Nanomaterials
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/21df85c6-b8d1-4f83-90f5-ccf28d990a2a