Beach and marine microplastics: Physiochemical removal techniques targeting marine disasters

The ubiquitous presence of marine and beach microplastics has become a growing concern due to its global issues. The release of industrial waste and the degradation of anthropogenic and flotsam plastic litter through the biological and physicochemical weathering process causes the emergence of microplastics in marine environments. Moreover, maritime accidents cause the spillage of primary microplastics into the sea as seen in the case of the worst-ever microplastic spillage from the MV X-Press Pearl shipwreck incident in Sri Lanka. The long-term presence of marine microplastics ultimately impacts marine organisms posing various health issues. It is urgent to study the marine microplastic removal strategies that have been experienced to date. Though several microplastic removal techniques have been performed at the laboratory scale, more information on practically applicable removal methods for large-scale incidents does not exist. Physicochemical removal methods were used in most cases to mitigate marine microplastic pollution. This chapter provides a descriptive overview of the sources, pathways, distribution, and fate of marine microplastics and comprehensively discusses the novel physicochemical approaches to remove microplastics from marine ecosystems. Further, the microplastic removal techniques practiced in Sri Lanka after the microplastic spillage incident are used as a case study in this chapter.