Note: Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- Contributors -- Part I : Global Problems and Mountain Regions -- Chapter 1: Scientific Research Basis for Sustainable Development of the Mountain Regions: Main Concepts and Basic Theories -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Research Base for Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions -- 1.3 "Pressure, State, Response" (PSR) and DPSIR Models Require Trans-Disciplinarity -- 1.4 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 2: Solar Activity, Climate Change, and Natural Disasters in Mountain Regions -- 2.1 Background -- 2.2 Heliocentric Hypothesis on Forest Fires -- 2.3 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 3: Mass Movement Processes Under Changing Climatic and Socioeconomic Conditions -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 The Matrix of Mass Movement Processes and Triggering Parameters -- 3.2.1 Basics -- 3.2.2 The Event of 2005 (Communities of Gasen and Haslau, Austria) -- 3.3 Climate Change: Facts and Assumptions -- 3.4 Socioeconomic Development and Rising Disadvantages -- 3.5 Working with Scenarios: An Approach -- 3.6 Conclusions -- References -- Part II : Nature Resources and Land Use in Mountain Regions -- Chapter 4: Mountains and Mountain Regions in Bulgaria -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Arguments -- 4.3 Criteria -- 4.4 Results -- 4.5 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 5: The Nature Potential of Mountains in Bulgaria and Its Sustainable Use -- 5.1 Former Studies on the Natural Potential of the Mountains in Bulgaria -- 5.2 Assessment of Nature Potential by Components for Various Economic Purposes -- 5.2.1 Assessment of Relief -- 5.2.2 Climate Assessment -- 5.2.3 Assessment of Water -- 5.2.4 Assessment of the Soils, Vegetation, and Animal World -- 5.2.5 Complex Assessment of Mountain Landscapes -- 5.3 Assessment of the Possibilities for Sustainable Utilization of the Natural Potential of Mountains -- 5.4 Conclusion -- References. , Chapter 6: Morphometry and Land Use on High Mountains in the Republic of Macedonia -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Methodology -- 6.3 Basic Morphometric Characteristics -- 6.4 Basic Land Use Characteristics -- 6.4.1 Hypsometry and Land Use -- 6.4.2 Slopes and Land Use -- 6.4.3 Aspects and Land Use -- 6.5 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 7: Usage of the Mountain Areas in the Republic of Macedonia -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Methodology of Work and Data Sources -- 7.3 Population as a Precondition for Area Usage -- 7.4 Size of Villages According to Population Number -- 7.5 Usage of the Areas of Mountain Villages -- 7.6 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 8: Physical Geographic Characteristics and Sustainable Development of the Mountain Area in Montenegro -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Borders and Division of the Mountain Terrain -- 8.3 Geologic Background -- 8.4 Climate Conditions -- 8.5 Hydrologic Characteristics -- 8.6 Geomorphological Characteristics -- 8.7 Geoheritage and Environmental Protection -- 8.8 Potentials and Limitations for the Application of the Concept of Sustainable Development -- 8.9 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 9: Climate Variability, Soil, and Forest Ecosystem Diversity of the Dinaric Mountains -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Climate Characteristics and Observed Climate Change in Dinarides -- 9.3 Main Soil-Forming Factors -- 9.4 Characteristic Soil Types -- 9.5 Forest Vegetation of Dinarides -- 9.6 Climate Modeling and Future Climate Changes in Croatia -- 9.7 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 10: Assessment of Greek Forests Protection and Management -- 10.1 Introduction: Forest Ecosystems in Greece -- 10.1.1 The General Context -- 10.1.2 Greek Diversity -- 10.2 Forests in Mountain Regions of Greece -- 10.2.1 Morphology and Diversity -- 10.2.2 Species and Formations of Forests in Mountainous Regions of Greece. , 10.3 Direct and Indirect Benefits of Forests -- 10.3.1 Direct Benefits -- 10.3.2 Indirect Benefits -- 10.4 Sustainable Forest Management -- 10.4.1 A Definition -- 10.4.2 The Global View -- 10.4.3 The European View -- 10.4.4 Greek Management -- 10.4.5 Regional Issues -- 10.4.6 The Future Approach -- 10.5 Threats and Risks of the Greek Forests -- 10.6 Restoration of Greek Forest Ecosystems -- References -- Chapter 11: Mapping Forest Fragmentation Based on Morphological Image Analysis of Mountain Regions in Bulgaria and Slovakia -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.2 Materials and Methods -- 11.2.1 Study Areas -- 11.2.2 Data -- 11.2.3 Morphological Image Analysis -- 11.3 Results and Discussion -- 11.4 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 12: Evaluation of the Avalanche Danger in Northwest Rila Mountain -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Avalanche and Avalanche Danger -- 12.3 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 13: Management of Snow Avalanche Risk in the Ski Areas of the Southern Carpathians-Romanian Carpathians -- 13.1 Introduction -- 13.2 General Facts of the Studied Area -- 13.3 Terrain Factors and Climatic Variables Analysis as Favorable for Ski Activities -- 13.3.1 Terrain Factors -- 13.3.2 Climatic Variables -- 13.4 Management of Snow Avalanche Risk -- 13.5 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 14: Landscape Structure and Ecosystem Services of Etropole Municipality -- 14.1 Introduction -- 14.2 Study Area -- 14.3 Materials and Methods -- 14.4 Results -- 14.5 Conclusion -- References -- Part III : Social, Economic and Regional Problems of Mountain Regions -- Chapter 15: Demographic Potential and Problems of the Settlements Network in the Mountains of Bulgaria -- References -- Chapter 16: Demographic Limits to Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions in Serbia -- 16.1 Introduction -- 16.2 The Analysis -- 16.3 The Future -- References. , Chapter 17: Changes in the Ethnic and Demographic Profile of the Population in Eastern Stara Planina Region -- 17.1 General Notes -- 17.2 The Turkish Ethnic Group -- 17.3 The Bulgarian and the Roma Ethnic Groups -- 17.4 Classification and Grouping -- References -- Chapter 18: Small Urban Centers in the Alps and Their Development Issues -- 18.1 Introduction -- 18.2 Basic Features of Small Urban Centers in the Alps -- 18.2.1 Population Growth -- 18.2.2 Aging of the Population -- 18.2.3 Working Population -- 18.2.4 Jobs -- 18.2.5 Tourism -- 18.2.6 Transport Accessibility and Mobility -- 18.3 Survey on Contemporary Development Issues -- 18.4 Discussion -- 18.5 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 19: Impact of Macroeconomic Changes and Property Rights on Forest Degradation, Land Use, and Environmental Situation in Albania -- 19.1 Historical Land Tenure in Albania -- 19.1.1 Privatization of Agricultural Land -- 19.2 Main Land Tenure Issues -- 19.2.1 Land Fragmentation -- 19.3 Effects of Land Reforms on Land Use in Albania After 1991 -- 19.3.1 Land Cover -- 19.3.2 Forest Degradation -- 19.3.3 Pasture Degradation -- 19.4 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 20: Sustainable Development in the Eastern Black Sea Mountains: Present State and Perspectives -- 20.1 Introduction -- 20.2 The Eastern Black Sea Region -- 20.2.1 Settlement System -- 20.2.2 The Economy -- 20.3 The Eastern Black Sea Regional Development Plan (DOKAP) and Sustainable Mountain Development -- 20.3.1 Legislative Basis -- 20.3.2 Design -- 20.3.3 Objectives, Rationale, and General Description -- 20.3.4 Financing -- 20.3.5 Administration of the Plan -- 20.4 The Project Achievements -- 20.4.1 Accessibility and Mountain Development -- 20.4.2 Tourism and Mountain Development -- 20.4.3 The Kaçkar Mountains National Park: A Model for Sustainable Mountain Development -- 20.5 Conclusion -- References. , Chapter 21: Regional Differences and Regional Planning of Economic Activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina -- 21.1 Introduction -- 21.2 Methodology of Research -- 21.3 Socioeconomic Transformation and Regional Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina Since the Mid-­Twentieth Century -- 21.4 Modern Regional Development of Bosnia and Herzgovina -- 21.5 Conclusion -- References -- Journal Article -- Book -- Part IV : Nature Protection, Conservation and Monitoring -- Chapter 22: Applying Integrated Nature Conservation Management: Using Visitor Management and Monitoring to Handle Conflicts Between Winter Recreation and Grouse Species in Berchtesgaden National Park -- 22.1 Introduction and Background -- 22.2 Study Area and Study Objects -- 22.2.1 Berchtesgaden National Park -- 22.2.2 Winter Recreation: Ski-Touring and Snowshoeing -- 22.2.3 Wildlife: Grouse Species -- 22.3 Temporal and Spatial Use Characteristics of Ski-­Touring and Snowshoeing -- 22.3.1 Visitor Numbers and Temporal Use Characteristics -- 22.3.2 Spatial Use -- 22.4 Conflicts and Integrated Management Measures -- 22.4.1 Winter Season -- 22.4.2 Spring Season -- 22.5 Outlook -- References -- Chapter 23: Environmental Changes in the Maramureş Mountains Natural Park -- 23.1 Introduction -- 23.2 Environmental Changes in  Maramureş Mountains Natural Park -- Settlement Expansion -- Overgrazing -- Deforestation -- Mining Activities -- Touristic Activities -- 23.3 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 24: BEO Moussala: Complex for Environmental Studies -- 24.1 Introduction -- 24.1.1 Climate Notes -- 24.1.2 The Station Chronology -- 24.2 Environmental Measurements at BEO Moussala -- 24.2.1 Vaisala Automatic Weather Station (AWS) -- 24.2.2 POPs Passive Air Sampling -- 24.2.3 Atmospheric Gas Analysis System -- 24.2.4 BEO Moussala Aerosol Measurement and Devices -- 24.2.4.1 Scanning Mobility Particles Sizer. , 24.2.4.2 Nephelometer TSI 3563.

Note: Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- List of Contributors -- Preface -- Section I Single Use Plastics -- Chapter 1 Scientometric Analysis of Microplastics across the Globe -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Materials and Methods -- 1.3 Results and Discussion -- 1.3.1 Trends in Scientific Production and Citations -- 1.3.2 Top Funding Agencies -- 1.3.3 Top 10 Global Affiliations -- 1.3.4 Top Countries -- 1.3.5 Top 10 Databases and Journals -- 1.3.6 Top 10 Published Articles -- 1.3.7 Top 10 Author Keywords and Research Areas -- 1.4 Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Chapter 2 Microplastic Pollution in the Polar Oceans - A Review -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.1.1 Plastics -- 2.1.2 Plastic Pollution -- 2.1.3 Microplastics -- 2.1.4 Importance of Microplastic Pollution in the Polar Oceans -- 2.2 Polar Regions -- 2.2.1 General -- 2.2.2 Sea Ice -- 2.2.3 Water -- 2.2.4 Sediments -- 2.2.5 Biota -- 2.3 Future Perspectives -- 2.4 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 3 Microplastics - Global Scenario -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Environmental Issues of Plastic Waste -- 3.3 Coprocessing of Plastic Waste in Cement Kilns -- 3.3.1 Cost of Plants to Convert Plastic Waste to Refused-Derived Fuel (RDF) -- 3.4 Disposal of Plastic Waste Through Plasma Pyrolysis Technology (PPT) -- 3.4.1 Merits of PPT -- 3.5 Constraints on the Use of Plastic Waste Disposal Technologies -- 3.6 Alternate to Conventional Petro-based Plastic Carry Bags and Films -- 3.7 Improving Waste Management -- 3.7.1 Phasing Out Microplastics -- 3.7.2 Promoting Research into Alternatives -- 3.7.3 Actions and Resolutions -- References -- Chapter 4 The Single-Use Plastic Pandemic in the COVID-19 Era -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Materials and Methods -- 4.2.1 Data Sources -- 4.2.2 Estimation of the General population's Daily Use of Face Masks. , 4.2.3 Estimation of the Daily Amount of Medical Waste in Hospitals -- 4.3 Trends in Production and Consumption of SUPs during the Pandemic -- 4.3.1 Personal Protective Equipment -- 4.3.2 Packaging SUPs -- 4.3.2.1 Trends in Plastic Waste Generation, Management, and Environmental Fate during the COVID-19 Era -- 4.4 SUP Waste from the Pandemic -- 4.4.1 Environmental Impacts from SUP Waste -- 4.4.2 Management of SUP Waste -- 4.5 Conclusions and Future Prospects -- References -- Section II Microplastics in the Aerosphere -- Chapter 5 Atmospheric Microplastic Transport -- 5.1 The Phenomenon of Microplastic Transport -- 5.2 Factors Affecting Microplastic Transport -- 5.2.1 Types of MPs -- 5.2.2 Characteristics and Sources of Microplastics Emitters -- 5.2.3 Meteorological Conditions -- 5.2.4 Altitude and Surface Roughness -- 5.2.5 Microplastic Deposition Processes in the Ocean -- 5.2.6 Microplastics Deposition Processes in the Air -- 5.3 Microplastic Transport Modelling -- 5.3.1 Eulerian Method -- 5.3.2 Lagrangian Method -- References -- Chapter 6 Microplastics in the Atmosphere and Their Human and Eco Risks -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Microplastics in the Atmosphere -- 6.2.1 Size, Shapes, and Colours -- 6.2.2 Chemical Composition -- 6.2.3 Sources of Microplastics -- 6.2.4 Spatial Distribution and Rate of Deposition -- 6.2.5 Effects of Climatic Conditions on MP Distribution -- 6.2.6 Transport Pathways -- 6.2.7 Pollutants Associated with MPs -- 6.3 Impact of Microplastics on Human Health and the Eco Risk -- 6.3.1 Impact on Human Health -- 6.3.2 Eco Risk -- 6.4 Strategies to Minimise Atmospheric MPs through Future Research -- 6.5 Conclusion -- Acknowledgements -- References -- Chapter 7 Sampling and Detection of Microplastics in the Atmosphere -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Classification -- 7.3 Sampling Microplastics -- 7.3.1 Sampling Airborne Microplastics. , 7.3.2 Sediment -- 7.3.3 Water -- 7.3.4 Biota -- 7.4 Sample Preparation -- 7.5 Detection and Characterisation of MPs in the Atmosphere -- 7.5.1 Microscopic Techniques for Detecting MPs -- 7.5.1.1 Stereomicroscopy -- 7.5.1.2 Fluorescence Microscopy -- 7.5.1.3 Polarised Optical Microscopy (POM) -- 7.5.1.4 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) -- 7.5.1.5 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) -- 7.5.1.6 Hot Needle Technique -- 7.5.1.7 Digital Holography -- 7.5.2 Spectroscopic Techniques for Analysing MPs -- 7.5.2.1 Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy -- 7.5.2.2 Raman Spectroscopy -- 7.5.3 Thermal Analysis -- 7.5.3.1 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) -- 7.5.3.2 Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) -- 7.5.3.3 Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Pyr-GC-MS) -- 7.6 Conclusion -- Funding -- References -- Chapter 8 Sources and Circulation of Microplastics in the Aerosphere - Atmospheric Transport of Microplastics -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.1.1 Occurrence and Abundance of Atmospheric MP -- 8.1.2 Plastic Polymers and Their Properties -- 8.1.3 Sources and Pathways of MPs in the Atmosphere -- 8.2 Temporal and Spatial Trends in MP Accumulation -- 8.2.1 Roadside MPs -- 8.2.2 Agricultural Fields and Soil -- 8.2.3 Wastewater and Sludge -- 8.2.4 Ocean/Marine Debris -- 8.3 Formation of MPs -- 8.3.1 Physical Weathering -- 8.3.2 Chemical Weathering -- 8.3.3 Biodegradation -- 8.3.4 Photo-thermal Oxidation -- 8.3.5 Thermal Degradation -- 8.4 Atmospheric Circulation, Transport, Suspension, and Deposition -- 8.4.1 Wet Deposition -- 8.4.2 Dry Deposition -- 8.4.3 Urban Dust -- 8.4.4 Suspended Atmospheric MPs -- 8.5 Atmospheric Chemistry of MPs -- 8.6 Predicting MP Dispersion and Transport -- 8.7 Eco-Environmental Impacts -- 8.7.1 Impacts on Human and Wildlife Health -- 8.7.2 Impacts on the Climate -- 8.8 Future Perspectives -- References. , Section III Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment -- Chapter 9 Interaction of Chemical Contaminants with Microplastics -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Interactions -- 9.3 Mechanisms -- 9.3.1 Interactions between Organic Contaminants and Microplastics -- 9.3.2 Interactions between Heavy Metals and Microplastics -- 9.3.3 Kinetics of the Sorption Process -- 9.3.4 Pseudo-First-Order Model -- 9.3.5 Pseudo-Second-Order Model -- 9.3.6 Intraparticle Diffusion Model -- 9.3.7 Film Diffusion Model -- 9.3.8 Isotherm Models -- 9.3.9 Langmuir Model -- 9.3.10 Freundlich Model -- 9.4 Environmental Burden of Microplastics -- 9.5 Future Approaches -- References -- Chapter 10 Microplastics in Freshwater Environments -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Microplastics in Rivers and Tributaries -- 10.3 Microplastics in Lakes -- 10.4 Microplastics in Groundwater Sources -- 10.5 Microplastics in Glaciers and Ice Caps -- 10.6 Microplastics in Deltas -- 10.7 Conclusion -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Chapter 11 Microplastics in Landfill Leachate: Flow and Transport -- 11.1 Plastics and Microplastics -- 11.2 Microplastics in Landfill Leachate -- 11.3 Summary -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Chapter 12 Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment - Effects on Ocean Carbon Sequestration and Sustenance of Marine Life -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment -- 12.2.1 Major Sources -- 12.2.2 Chemical Nature and Distribution Processes -- 12.2.2.1 Chemical Nature -- 12.2.2.2 Distribution Processes -- 12.3 Microplastics and Ocean Carbon Sequestration -- 12.3.1 Ocean Carbon Sequestration -- 12.3.2 Effect of Microplastics on Ocean Carbon Sequestration -- 12.3.2.1 Effect on Phytoplankton Photosynthesis and Growth -- 12.3.2.2 Effect on Zooplankton Development and Reproduction -- 12.3.2.3 Effect on the Marine Biological Pump -- 12.4 Microplastics and Marine Fauna. , 12.4.1 Effects on Corals -- 12.4.2 Effects on Fisheries and Aquaculture -- 12.4.2.1 Shrimp -- 12.4.2.2 Oysters and Mussels -- 12.4.2.3 Fish -- 12.4.3 Effects on Sea Turtles and Sea Birds -- 12.4.4 Effects on Marine Mammals -- 12.5 Microplastic Pollution, Climate Change, and Antibiotic Resistance - A Unique Trio -- 12.6 Conclusion and Future Perspectives -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Section IV Microplastics in Soil Systems -- Chapter 13 Entry of Microplastics into Agroecosystems: A Serious Threat to Food Security and Human Health -- 13.1 Introduction -- 13.2 Sources of Microplastics in Agroecosystems -- 13.2.1 Plastic Mulching -- 13.2.2 Plastic Use in Modern Agriculture -- 13.2.3 Application of Sewage Sludge/Biosolids -- 13.2.4 Compost and Fertilizers -- 13.2.5 Wastewater Irrigation -- 13.2.6 Landfill Sites -- 13.2.7 Atmospheric Deposition -- 13.2.8 Miscellaneous Sources -- 13.3 Implications of Microplastic Contamination on Agroecosystems -- 13.3.1 Implications for Soil Character -- 13.3.2 Implications for Crop Plants and Food Security -- 13.4 Human Health Risks -- 13.5 Knowledge Gaps -- 13.6 Conclusion and Future Recommendations -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Chapter 14 Migration of Microplastic-Bound Contaminants to Soil and Their Effects -- 14.1 Introduction -- 14.2 Microplastics as Sorbing Materials for Hazardous Chemicals -- 14.3 Types of Microplastic-Bound Contaminants in Soils -- 14.3.1 Heavy Metals and Metalloids - Inorganic Contaminants Adsorbed to MPs -- 14.3.2 Persistent Organic Pollutants, Pharmaceuticals, Antibiotics, Pesticides, and Other Organic Contaminants Adsorbed to MPs -- 14.4 Effects of Exposure and Co-exposure in Soil - Consequences of Contaminant Sorption for MP Toxicity and Bioaccumulation -- 14.5 Microplastic-Bound Contaminants in Soils as Potential Threats to Human Health -- 14.6 Conclusions -- References. , Chapter 15 Plastic Mulch-Derived Microplastics in Agricultural Soil Systems.