Plastics and the Environment

Abstract

Plastics are persistent and pervasive throughout the environment and have now been reported from the deepest parts of the ocean to the tops of the highest and most remote mountains. There is a body of information on the sources, degradation, and transport of plastics as well as a variety of research investigating the ecotoxicological and wider ecological consequences of plastic ingestion and accumulation. Such knowledge has been obtained with developments in field and laboratory methods for plastic identification and then well-publicized in the media and wider public communications. However, although there has been a large focus on plastic pollution within the past decade, there is plenty that we do not yet know. Even within the past five years, sources of microplastics (1 μm–5 mm) to the environment have been confirmed that had not previously been considered, for example, road paints and tire wear particles. Initial research focused on plastic in the marine environment, but understanding on the accumulation and impacts in terrestrial and freshwater environments is growing. There is a substantial lack of basic science focused on the efficiency of solutions aimed at mitigating plastic pollution. This review highlights some recent (past five years) research on plastics in the environment, including investigations in accumulation, sources, distribution, impacts, solutions and provides directions for future work.

Global Responses of Soil Carbon Dynamics to Microplastic Exposure: A Data Synthesis of Laboratory Studies

“…14 However, it is crucial to note that MPs leachates can also inhibit microbial activity. 31,53 In general, our meta-analysis results indicated that MPs significantly increased DOC, which is in line with the recent meta-analysis. 16 However, another global meta-analysis showed that MPs' presence does not significantly increase DOC.…”

“…MPs, as a great C source, at least the leachates coming from the particles, can be absorbed by soil microbes, thereby contributing to increased soil microbial biomass . However, it is crucial to note that MPs leachates can also inhibit microbial activity. , …”

“…14,16,30 The influence of MPs on soil C is shaped by various factors, notably MPs characteristics, experimental conditions, and soil attributes. 5,31 Research has demonstrated varying impacts of MPs on soil organic C (SOC), revealing that the effects are contingent on MPs' type and concentration. For example, Qin et al 32 found no significant differences in SOC among HDPE-MPs, PP-MPs, and PS-MPs at a dose of 1 g kg −1 dry soil, while Yu et al 33 observed significant differences among PE-MPs, PP-MPs, and PS-MPs at a dose of 10 g kg −1 dry soil.…”

Polypropylene Fragments Block Pollen–Pistil Interactions and Reduce Seed Production in a Monkeyflower Species

“…It requires studies that allow us to anticipate the potential impacts of plastic pollution on organims. In the context of global change, microplastics have not yet been identified as a threat to pollination. , However, evidence suggests that microplastics are intrinsic environmental components that alter plant reproduction. , Determining how microplastics move in the environment and their concentrations in soils, air, animals, and plants is essential for advancing our knowledge of this issue and developing effective strategies to mitigate their harmful effects on plant reproduction.…”

Modified Sodium Alginate for Degradable Supramolecular Plastic with High Mechanical Strength

“…The global demand for plastic products which are considered essential in daily life results in an annual production of a huge amount of plastics (exceeding 380 million tons). [1][2][3][4][5] However, due to the non-degradability, these plastics pose a great threat to the ecological environment and may even endanger human's health or animal's life. [6] Those that enter the environment are hard to degrade because of the strong covalent bonding on the polymer backbone.…”