Biological and Ecological Risk Assessment and Management

Dear Colleagues,

Microplastics, tiny plastic fragments less than 5 mm in size, have emerged as a pervasive environmental pollutant, pervading marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems globally. Originating from the breakdown of larger plastic items, cosmetic products, and industrial processes, these particles pose significant threats to environmental health and biodiversity. Their widespread presence underscores the urgency to understand their biodegradation capabilities, biological impacts on various organisms, and the potential risks they pose to ecosystems and human health. Despite their small size, microplastics carry a large environmental footprint, acting as vectors for toxic chemicals and pathogens that can accumulate in the food chain. This research area is crucial, as understanding the biodegradation and transformation, biological impacts, and effective analysis methods for microplastics are fundamental in formulating effective mitigation strategies in the environment. Furthermore, advanced analysis technologies and comprehensive risk assessment frameworks are imperative to quantify the extent of pollution, evaluate the ecological and health risks, and inform policy decisions aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of plastics. The study of microplastics embodies a multidisciplinary challenge, involving chemistry, ecology, toxicology, and environmental science, highlighting the importance of integrated approaches to address the complex issues they present. Hence, we cordially invite you to contribute to this Special Issue by submitting your manuscripts. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

• The fate, degradation, and transformation of microplastics in environment and ecosystems, including plant and aquatic ecosystems
• Biological effects of microplastics on plants and microbial communities
• Advanced analytical techniques for microplastics
• Risk assessment related to the microplastics
• Strategies for bioremediation and biomonitoring of microplastic contaminants
• Comprehensive modeling for the fate and ecological risk assessment of microplastics

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Haiyan Wang
Dr. Yan Chen
Dr. Enguang Nie
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• microplastics
• biological effects
• biodegradation and transformation
• ecotoxicity
• analysis technologies
• health risk
• risk assessment
• bioremediation