Clean Techn Environ Policy (2015) 17:1383–1391
DOI 10.1007/s10098-015-1007-9
NEWS
Microplastics in the environment
John A. Glaser1
Ó Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015
Plastic pollution has been estimated to be composed of
more than 5 trillion plastic pieces equal to some 250,000
tons in the global seas. A United Nations advisory body:
Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine
Environmental Protection (GESAMP) recently released a
98 page report: Sources, Fate and Effects of Microplastics
in the Marine Environment: a Global Assessment, which
asserts that microplastics can have major detrimental effects
on marine life based on 5 years of study. Microplastics for
this report are characterized as fragments of plastics having
dimensions of 1 nm to \5 mm in diameter capable of
damaging marine life comparable to larger floating plastics
debris. Microplastics are spread throughout consumer items
ranging from abrasives to cosmetics. This report aspires to
inform a potential problem that is poorly understood at
global scale. The major sources of the ocean pollution are
currently being identified with little knowledge of the fate
and effects of microplastics in the ocean. The presence of
plastics in the ocean must receive greater monitoring and
control to avoid what is considered potential environmental
disasters. One detrimental effect of microplastics could be
the conveyance of absorbed pesticides or other toxic
materials to susceptible organisms leading to cellular
damage. The report found that information and data related
to microplastics were highly variable and poorly quantified.
Disclaimer The views expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
& John A. Glaser
glaser.john@epa.gov
1 as an essential growth element. Corporate research as
National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US
Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W King Dr,
Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
A search for hotspots on land and in the sea could greatly
aid the analysis of the environmental effects of microplas-
tics. The report advocates control of plastic pollution on
land before it becomes a water pollution issue.
Environ. Pollut. 2014, 188, 177–181; Environ. Sci.
Technol. 2014, 48, 4732–4738; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
U.S.A. 2014, 111, 10239–10244; PLOS ONE 2014, 9,
e111913; Science 2014, 345, 6193, 144–145; Science
2015, 347, 6223, 768–771; http://www.gesamp.org/data/
gesamp/files/media/Publications/Reports_and_studies_90/
gallery_2230/object_2461_large.pdf ; GESAMP ‘‘Sources,
fate and effects of microplastics in the marine environment:
a global assessment’’ (Kershaw, P. J., ed.). (IMO/FAO/
UNESCO-IOC/UNIDO/WMO/IAEA/UN/UNEP/UNDP
Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine
Environmental Protection). Rep. Stud. GESAMP 2015, No.
90, 96 p.
Chemistry in a sustainable future
The German chemical giant, BASF, is celebrating its
150-year anniversary by indicating that its future is
strongly connected with the use of chemistry to assist a
sustainable world. Originally known as Badische Anilin- &
Sodafabrik, this concern has grown from the development
of industrial scale synthesis of the dye alizarine as an early
ground-breaking innovation. Opportunities to lead the
chemical industry continued through BASF contributions
of synthetic dyes, ammonia synthesis, foamed polystyrene,
fungicides, and magnetic tapes. The firm now proclaims
that its future is based on a strategy driven by sustainability
development emphasizes three major future needs: food
and nutrition; raw materials, environment, and climate; and
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quality of life. To exemplify the food and nutrition direc-
tion, the synthetic production of the terpene citral at 40,000
metric tons/year with further developments leading to the
dietary supplement, lycopene, and enantiomerically pure
L-menthol.
O H H2C O CH3
H3C CH2
CH3
CH3
CH3
HO
H3C CH3
L-Menthol
In the area of intelligent energy developments, new
cathode material development is directed to more efficient
energy storage in electric auto batteries and magnetocaloric
materials for efficient cooling applications. It is interesting
to note that the authors are BASF executive leaders who
have extensive technical backgrounds in biology and
chemistry. BASF leadership asserts that successful and
sustainable innovation is critical to the development of new
products, technologies, and business models leading to
future growth. The new BASF corporate purpose is enun-
ciated as ‘‘We create chemistry for a sustainable future.’’
(Angew Chem Int Ed 2015, 54, 3178–3195.)
Papal scrutiny of climate change
The Vatican recently released the anticipated 180-page
encyclical Laudato Si’ (Praise be to you) of Pope Francis which
is directed to environmental concerns. This letter is addressed
to every person on the planet who is requested to change
lifestyles and energy consumption to avoid unparalleled cir-
cumstances leading to the irreversible global ecosystem
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J. A. Glaser
changes by the end of the current century. Climate change
refers to local, city, regional, and global conditions in which the
climate conditions change in aspects such as rainfall, temper-
ature, and atmospheric pollution. Powerful evidence of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change across the past
CH3 CH3
CH3 H3C O
Citral
27 years of operation serves to provide the basic support to the
Pope’s strongly enunciated call for a new global political
authority capable of reducing the greenhouse gas pollution
contributing to the economic problems and injustices experi-
enced by the world’s poor countries and regions. The Pope
appeals for action concerning climate change since strong
evidence indicates that the poor of countries close to the
Equator will bear the brunt of global warming effects. The poor
at low latitudes is encumbered with meteorological, economic,
and geopolitically complex conditions which exacerbate the
climate change conditions. Changes to normal temperature
ranges for the tropics are expected to have greater significant
effects due to the expected narrow normal range. Natural dis-
asters and drought; public health and disease; political insta-
bility and conflict; and economics and agriculture are four
groupings of adverse tropical effects.
The Pope sees that the Earth ‘‘is protesting for the wrong
that we are doing to her, because of the irresponsible use
and abuse of the goods that God has placed on her. We
have grown up thinking that we were her owners and
dominators, authorized to loot her. The violence that exists
in the human heart, wounded by sin, is also manifest in the
Microplastics in the environment
symptoms of illness that we see in the Earth, the water, the
air and in living things.’’ The Pope focuses on the condi-
tions of this planet as our common home. It is remarkable
for a religious leader to take such a strident position on
subjects apart from the normal matters of religious concern.
Yet the Pope is convinced that climate change and its
effects with the attendant global deterioration represent
OH
OH H2
Rhenium containing multimetallic catalyst
OH
Glycerol
global evils that are inequitably shared. The conditions of
climate change offer to all residents of the globe opportu-
nities to share concern, resources, and wherewithal in a
collective global response to the threats and needs atten-
dant to climate change. The Pope’s efforts have been
assisted through the workshop on PROTECT THE EARTH,
DIGNIFY HUMANITY—THE MORAL DIMENSIONS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOP-
MENT that was held earlier this year.
http://www.casinapioiv.va/content/accademia/en/events/
2015/protectearth.html; http://www.casinapioiv.va/content/
dam/accademia/booklet/booklet_earth.pdf; http://www.tech
nologyreview.com/news/538586/climate-change-why-the-
tropical-poor-will-suffer-most/; http://www.theguardian.
com/world/2015/jun/15/pope-francis-destruction-ecosystem-
leaked-encyclical; http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/
jun/18/popes-climate-change-encyclical-calls-on-rich-nations-
to-pay-social-debt.
Affordable green chemistry award
A team from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and
Archer Daniels Midland was recognized through the 2015
American Chemical Society’s Affordable Green Chem-
istry Award. This research investigated the use of a bio-
process to replace a major petrochemical process with
attendant greenhouse gas reductions. These researchers
developed a catalytic process capable of economically
producing propylene glycol from renewable sources at
commercial scale. Propylene glycol is a commodity
chemical having commercial uses in areas ranging from
plastic production and detergents to cosmetics. The
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research involved process engineering and catalyst opti-
mization. Using high-throughput techniques, the team
explored numerous combinations of metal catalysts to
identify a rhenium catalyst capable of 80–90 % glycerol
hydrogenolysis to form propylene glycol. Catalyst
enhancement achieved greater than 90 % conversion to
propylene glycol.
OH OH
OH +
H3C OH
A commercial facility utilizing this technology was
opened in Decatur, IL, during 2011 having a production
capacity of 100,000 tons/year. This output is enough to
meet 20 % of the US demand for propylene glycol. The
technology has been evaluated as reducing greenhouse
emissions by 61 % when compared with petrochemical-
based propylene glycol synthesis. The potential environ-
mental gains are considerable with a reduction to the 2
billion lbs of petroleum consumed by propylene glycol
production.
The Affordable Green Chemistry award was instituted by
the American Chemical Society ‘‘to recognize outstanding
scientific discoveries that lay the foundation for environ-
mentally-friendly products or manufacturing processes at a
cost comparable to or less than that of current technologies, or
discoveries that deliver new applications with compelling
cost/benefit profiles. To identify and recognize discovery of
new eco-friendly chemistries with the potential to enable
products or manufacturing processes that are less expensive
than existing alternatives.’’ (Chem Eng News 2015, 93, 8,
45–46; US Patent 6841085 B2; US Patent 7038094 B2.)
Greenhouse gas cuts short of targets
The International Energy Agency has released a
200-page analytical report, Energy and Climate Change
which offers an independent energy analysis of the
world’s governments approach to greenhouse gas (GHG)
reductions. Intended Nationally Determined Contribu-
tions (INDCs) are pledges provided by countries that
contain implicit or explicit commitments related to
energy-related emissions. The report focuses its analysis
on 29 member countries relative to each commitment to
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reduce GHGs. Since 2010, a 2 °C target reduction has
been central to international efforts to avoid the worst
penalties related to global warming. This target relates to
the control of global temperatures above preindustrial
goals. The expected economic growth considerations are
factored into the report’s findings. Current national GHG
cutting commitments remain insufficient to attain target
levels. The report asserts that if stronger action is not
undertaken after 2030, the INDC Scenario path leads to
an average temperature increase of around 2.6 °C by
2100 and possibly 3.5 °C after 2200. Hence, current
global emission goals still cannot prevent dangerous
warming. The report strongly suggests that a more
ambitious world approach could peak emissions by 2020
and adopt a safer path to GHG controls and the conse-
quences of this undesirable atmospheric pollution.
http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publica
tion/weo-2015-special-report-energy-climate-change.html?
wpisrc=nl_daily202&wpmm=1.
A bio-inspired chemical synthesis machine
Chemical synthesis has held an aura of the challenge of
the impossible as synthetic targets shifted from more
Suzuki coupling
Halogen + Boronate
simple structures to structurally fragile and highly com-
plex structures and functionality. Chemical synthesis texts
have assembled remarkable accomplishments which
extolled the challenges surmounted by each of the suc-
cessful applications of chemical brain and brawn. Many
of these highly touted endeavors provided an expansion to
general molecular synthesis knowledge but the pathways
leading to many of the targets required a lengthy series of
conversions or steps. The total synthesis approach has
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J. A. Glaser
been used as an initial step to confirm the structure of a
targeted complex organic molecule. Generally, small-
molecule synthesis requires synthetic procedures that are
highly customized for each target molecule. Automated
synthesis of peptides and oligonucleotides has been an
area of continuing utility and expansion. Recognition that
a ‘‘machine’’ similarly designed to use the strategy
employed with peptides could be useful with small-
molecule synthesis compelled further investigation. One
important application for such a machine would permit
the synthesis of complex small molecules that are variants
of a theme which is the common approach of medicinal
chemistry to drug discovery. A common building-block
strategy could be pivotal in the successful development of
an automated synthesis platform. Using well established
Suzuki chemistry, it was found that sequential building-
block coupling could be automated to form very struc-
turally sophisticated target molecules. The Suzuki chem-
istry involved a palladium catalyst to couple a molecular
fragment having boronic acid functionality with another
fragment having bromine or iodine functionality. The
resulting adduct could be purified through simple chro-
matography via the use of N-methyliminodiacetic acid
(MIDA) as part of the boronic acid to form boronates that
enable the desired separation.
adduct
This synthetic approach was applied to 14 distinct
classes of small molecules spanning a range of com-
pounds that are topologically complex with macrocyclic
or polycyclic frameworks. A sense of the synthetic
accomplishments possible by this new automated syn-
thetic process can be seen in the accompanying depicted
complex molecules, Crocacin C, Citreofuran, and even
Amphotericin B that were synthesized by the automated
system.
Microplastics in the environment 1387

CH3 CH3
O O CH3 O

NH
CH3 CH3 H

Crocacin C
cytochrome bc1 inhibitor

OH
O

O
H3C

O OH

Citreofuran
DNA cleaving agent

OH
OH
H3C O OH

HO O OH OH OH OH O O
CH3
OH
H3C
O O CH3
OH
NH2
OH
Amphotericin B

Current estimates of small-molecule natural products
that could be targets of this new automated synthetic
strategy could exceed 190,000 from 5000 MIDA boronate
building blocks. There are some 200 MIDA boronate
building blocks available commercially. For instance, sub-
stituent variations of molecules such as Amphotericin B can
be synthesized more easily and be explored for desired
activity to targeted therapeutic objectives. Due to the sim-
plicity of the synthetic strategy, there may be significant
beneficent environmental effects (Science 2015, 347,
1190–1193; 1221–1226.).
Metal-organic frameworks
Recently, there has been a plethora of new research reports,
reviews, and tutorials reflecting the burgeoning research
and applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

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Secondary building units of complex solid-state materials
can be used to direct the assembly of ordered frameworks
in the technique called reticular synthesis. This chemistry
has yielded materials designed to have predetermined
structures, compositions, and properties. Highly porous
frameworks held together by strong metal–oxygen–carbon
bonds and with exceptionally large surface area and
capacity for gas storage have been developed through
systematic variation and functionalization of their pore
dimensions.
In the past, new material discovery was largely
serendipitous using synthetic methods that were derided as
‘shake and bake,’ ‘mix and wait,’ or ‘heat and beat’ tech-
niques. Reticular synthesis can be used to produce mate-
rials designed to perform highly specific and cooperative
functions. Current research synthesizing MOFs has pro-
vided an extensive class of crystalline materials with high
stability, tunable features, inorganic/organic functionality,
and greater porosity. The range of constituent geometry,
size, and functionality has enabled the synthesis of MOFs
across a very broad structural landscape with greater utility
to assist a wide scope of synthetic reactions and
capabilities.
Reactant in
Metal ion Ligand
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J. A. Glaser
Surface area dimensions for MOFs can range from 1000
to 10,000 m2/g, clearly surpassing the surface areas of
traditional porous materials such as zeolites and carbons.
Aspects such as these identify MOFs as ideal candidates
for storage of fuels (hydrogen and methane), capture of
carbon dioxide, and catalysis, and other gas phase appli-
cations. Greater ability has been achieved to design MOFs
with specific features as size and nature of MOF structures.
MOF thermal and chemical stability enable postsynthetic
functionalization by covalent organic and metal-complex
chemistries. The formation of nanocrystals and supercrys-
tals of MOFs enable their incorporation into devices such
as sensors.
Multivariate frameworks can be assembled by varying
arrangement of functionalities to produce materials offer-
ing a synergistic combination of properties.
The exceptional porosity of MOFs enables wide range
of potential applications, i.e., gas storage, separations, and
catalysis. Fuel cells, supercapacitors, and catalytic con-
versions are attractive energy technology applications.
Applications gaining in importance can be found in
membranes, thin-film devices, catalysis, and biomedical
imaging.
Product out
MOF
Microplastics in the environment
Air purification of toxic chemicals is but one specific
application of current importance to many interests. An
extensive literature is available which underscores the
importance, applications, and future directions of this
remarkable research. A themed issue provides 32 articles
which delve into a wide scope of interests and is suffi-
ciently complete to be recognized almost as a text book.
Chem Rev 2014, 114, 5695–5727; Chem Soc Rev 2014,
43, 228–249; 5415–6172; TrAC Trends in Analytical
Chemistry 2014, 58, 71–78.
PET waste recycling
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a major component
to the worldwide consumption of plastics and plastic
products with a major environmental management concern
over the past few decades.
O
O O
R O
O n
poly(ethylene terephthalate)
O
HO
O
PET glycolysis with ethylene glycol
As a commonly used consumer plastic, PET use and
disposal is coupled to its low market price. Textile and
packaging business sectors generate copious amounts of
1389
PET waste requiring proper management to avoid envi-
ronment problems. Some 8 % by weight and 12 % by
volume of the global solid waste is composed of PET
materials. A simple, eco-friendly, and economical route for
recycling PET wastes could assist the adjustment of the
balance of an ecosystem relative to their nonbiodegradable
nature. Mechanical, thermal, and chemical recycling
methods can be applied to PET waste. Mechanical and/or
chemical technology is used to recycle most postconsumer
PET wastes and industrial plant scraps. Material recycling
by mechanical techniques involves a series of operations
ranging from separation for other plastics, cleaning, size
reduction, heat extrusion to reprocessing into new PET
materials. Chemical recycling involves the use of chemo-
lytic techniques that leads to monomers, dimers, and oli-
gomers. The product stream can require downstream
separation unit operations. Mechanical recycling of PET
can be attractive since it utilizes established equipment,
Ethylene glycol
R Oligomers Dimers
Δ
O
OH
O
tolerant of feedstock volume, and has little adverse envi-
ronmental impact. Yet there are a numbers of barriers to
mechanical PET recycling despite the positive incentives.
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Each recycling technology has environmental limitations
that can be creatively adopted specific applications pro-
viding starting material for a host of applications (Ind Eng
Chem Res 2015, 53, 14185–14198.).
Morgan Stanley sustainability evaluation
The investment firm of Morgan Stanley has released a
12-page report Sustainable Reality which attempts to
develop an understanding of the performance of sustain-
able investment strategies. Sustainability is used by the
analysts as a commitment to economic well-being for both
the present and the future, balancing society’s needs today
with the demands of tomorrow. Sustainability was expected
to involve processes, tools, and technologies that provide
the perpetuated and replicated features leading to eco-
nomic, social, and environmental benefits.
Sustainable investing is a topic of great interest to a
growing number of investors. US sustainable investment
for 2012 accounted for $1 of $9 in assets controlled by
professional management which was primarily in public
equities. A total of $6.57 trillion was invested in sustain-
able assets in 2014 where the ratio was $1 of $6.
This report presents the results of an analysis of poten-
tial performance and risk differences of sustainable and
traditional investments. Sustainable investment perfor-
mance and performance data were scrutinized for 10,228
open-end mutual funds and 2874 separately managed
accounts (SMAs) based in the United States and priced in
US dollars. The report finds that investing in sustainability
has usually met, and often exceeded, the performance of
comparable traditional investments. These results are
based on an absolute and a risk-adjusted basis, across
asset classes, and over time. The growth drew out investor
concerns related to tradeoffs and lack of performance in
contrast with traditional investments.
http://www.morganstanley.com/sustainableinvesting/pdf/
sustainable-reality.pdf.
Safer chemical production
A recent 40-page report issued by the American Sustain-
able Business Council and the Green Chemistry & Com-
merce Council analyzed the demand for safer chemicals
through market conditions analysis. The Making the
Business & Economic Case for Safer Chemistry report
shows that products constructed of safer chemicals as
identified through market analysis and to recognize the
investment potential of this increasing area of product
characterization. The report offers an analysis of product
markets made with safer chemicals as a growing area of
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J. A. Glaser
interest leading to greater investment despite the area’s
early stage of development. The business and economic
value of safer chemical production and use is promising
and has significant room for further growth. Chemical
production via safer designs and manufacturing processes
offers significant opportunities to chemical producers and
investors and is aided by EPA’s Safer Choice labeling
program designed to assist the purchasing public to identify
products made from safer chemicals.
The report shows that the full potential of safer
chemistry to create business and economic value has yet
to be realized. Federal policies can assist the market’s
attraction to safer chemicals. Risk assessments of new
chemicals conducted by USEPA are designed to identify
environmental and human health risks specific to each
chemical in particular products and applications. These
risk evaluations can be used to direct the development of
new chemicals responsive to the limitations of earlier
candidates thereby enabling specific opportunities for the
chemical manufacturing market and investors. The report
recognizes that government regulations concerning pro-
duct ingredients and chemical management are forcing
change. Retail customers’ expectations and corporate
sustainability policies also are key contributors to the
growing market for safer chemical products. Market
snapshots highlight sector trends and examples from
individual companies in that sector. One example in the
cleaning products market shows that the use of safer
chemicals grew at a compound annual growth rate of
20 % between 2007 and 2011. In the same period, con-
ventional cleaning products exhibited an annual growth
rate of 1.5 %. The report calls for the development of
consistent terminology to define and metrics to assess the
value of safer chemistries. Harmonization and alignment
of safer chemistries across a value chain approach are
required to assist the business performance. General
understanding of products and public policy mechanisms
can be assisted through product data disclosure.
http://asbcouncil.org/sites/default/files/asbcsaferchemi
calsreportpresred.pdf.
New journal
Nano-Structures and Nano-Objects
A new journal, Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects, is
designed to assemble papers depicting synthetic develop-
ments with greater control of nanoparticle shape, mor-
phology, and phase; nanostructure composition and related
shape; alloys assembled across diverse nanoparticles; and
specific nano-shapes in the form of core–shell crystals, rods
to cables to wires, tubes, and ordered superstructure arrays.
Microplastics in the environment
Defined and stable nanostructure and nano-object syn-
thesis must be controlled and reproducible to provide the
necessary support to a broad range of technological
applications. The new journal will emphasize the synthesis
of new nano-structures and nano-objects with at least one
dimension on the order of less than 100 nm and aimed at
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optical, electronic, mechanical, and chemical properties.
Potential applications in the fields of optoelectronics, field
emission, energy conversion, catalysis, sensing, and others
are expected and welcome.
http://www.journals.elsevier.com/nano-structures-and-
nano-objects/news/we-welcome-your-submissions/.
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