In this issue of Trends, we discuss the topic of microplastics.
Our first article defines microplastics and highlights the increasing interest in this topic, which we expect to persist through the next decade. The second article discusses scientific advancements being made to effectively study the nuanced movement and behavior of microplastics in various aquatic environments. The third article looks at the current state of research on the human health and ecological impacts of microplastics, including the data gaps that must be addressed to assess potential risks. Our guest editorial, contributed by Jonathan King of Squire Patton Boggs, focuses on the legal and regulatory implications of efforts to address secondary microplastics pollution.
Gradient contributors to this Trends issue include Matthew P. Tymchak, M.S.; Drs. Jeffrey T. Rominger, Ishita Shrivastava and Andrew Yeh; and Ife Bamgbose, M.S.
We hope this issue of Trends sheds some light on the ever-progressing topic of microplastics.
Yours truly,
Chris Long, Sc.D., DABT and Kurt Herman, M.Eng., P.G.
clong@gradientcorp.com kherman@gradientcorp.com