The Microplastics Issue

This chapter discusses The Microplastics Issue associated to Titanium and titanium nanoparticles. Microplastics (MPs), particles ranging from 1 to 5,000 μm, have become a global concern in aquatic ecosystems, posing a planetary boundary threat due to irreversible marine plastic contamination. With the expected doubling of microplastics in some oceanic compartments by 2030 and quadrupling by 2060, understanding their interactions with components like titanium (Ti) is crucial. This connection arises because many plastics employ Ti catalysts or additives, and in natural environments, aging alters the surface properties and leaching behavior of MPs. These findings these findings reveal that microplastics can change and influence the toxicity of certain nanoparticles in aquatic environments, and this can affect different organisms in the food chain. Understanding these complex interactions between MPs, Ti, and TiO₂ NPs is important for managing environmental risks associated with microplastics and nanoparticles, with implications for environmental and ecological consequences in aquatic ecosystems.