An insight on sampling, identification, quantification and characteristics of microplastics in solid wastes

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have attracted wide attention all over the world as a remarkable pollutant. While MPs are spreading throughout several complex environmental matrices, various experiments till date have been preliminary concentrate on aquatic ecosystems. Terrestrial sources namely solid waste-origin have remains unexplored, although they contribute largely for aquatic microplastics origin. Simultaneously, terrestrial systems under human activity, like healthcare units, are likely to be polluted by various plastic ingredients. Solid waste MPs sources primarily include sanitary landfilling, food waste, wastewater treatment end-product (sludge), tire wear, textile washing and paint failure. These microplastics caused adverse impacts on ecosystem, environment, and health. Accordingly, the present study addressed solid waste MPs’ occurrence and sources, identification, quantification, characterization, fate, and degradation pathways for developing comprehensive management strategies following the principles of circular economy. In particularly, this paper critically demonstrated solid waste MPs sources, solid waste MPs sampling followed by identification and quantification by adopting combined chemical (e.g., spectroscopy viz., Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy), physical (e.g., microscopy such as transmission or scanning electronic microscopy, TEM or SEM) and thermal analyses. Additionally, the strengths and limitations of each analytical technique are discussed critically with practical aspect. Further, the MPs related national and international regulations or laws and their subsequent relevance to solid waste MPs management with future challenges are discussed very critically. Finally, the outcomes of the review paper will be valuable to different stakeholders for effective policy implementation.