Introduction

Plastics are the polymers of monomers extracted from oil or gas and are synthetic organic polymers. Since 1940, production of plastics has been increased enormously. Plastic is an attractive material and its durability make it highly resistant to degradation thatswhy, it is problematic to dispose the plastic material. Plastics are internationally recognized pollutants of which 10% are entering the marine ecosysytem and eventually harming its sustainibility. Microplastics, are minute plastic particles produced by the breakdown of the macroplastics, are tiny and used as scrubbers in cosmetics and air blasting are increasing environmental concern day by day. In 1970s, it is first highlighted the microplastics fragments scattered over the ocean and later it was revealed that these microplastic fragments are omnipresent and have tendency to harm the marine biota.

Microplastics

Macroplastic debris focused on the environmental concern for some time, at turn of century, these fragments are collectively termed as microplastics which is universal pollutant not visible to naked human eye.

1. Primary microplastics

These are microscopic plastics, used in facial cleansers and cosmetics or as air blasting media. Microplastic scrubbers are used as exfoliating hand cleansers and facial scrubs. These plastics are different in shape, size and composition which is depending on the product.

2. Secondry microplastics

These are formed due to the breakdown of the larger plastic debris. The structural integrity of plastic debris can be reduced by the result of physical, biological and chemical processes. The smallest microparticles reportedly found in the ocean is 1.6 µm, still is is considered that microplastics can be futher breakdown into nano particles size. These nano plastics in the marine environment will be more significant in the field of researches in upcoming years. The sehlf life of these plasics is quite long.