Book excerpt: Microplastic pollution is a global problem, and its severity only threatens to get worse. This book presents all of the most up-to-date research on microplastic pollution, identifies issues and proposes actions to be taken and solutions to be implemented in facing down this environmental threat. The book details a host of aspects related to microplastic pollution, including: causes and effects; the impact on different environments; the emerging threat of nanoplastics; detection systems for monitoring areas subject to pollution; the ramifications in regard to other types of pollutants; green approaches for the synthesis of environmentally-friendly polymers; and socio-economic and environmental impact assessment and risk analysis, including in regard to effects on the human food chain. The primary audience for the book are scientists and decision-makers from industries, international, national and local institutions, and NGOs. It offers comprehensive information on the origin of the problem, its impact on marine environments, with particular attention to the Mediterranean Sea and Coasts, and the current research activities and ongoing projects aimed at finding technical solutions to mitigate the phenomenon.