Marine debris is persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and disposed or abandoned in the marine environment, including coastal wetlands, beaches and the oceans. Marine debris include but not limited to plastics, metals, glasses, rubber, cloth, paper and cardboards. It is a worldwide problem that arouses widespread concern due to its adverse impact on marine ecosystems and potential threats to human health through commercial fisheries. Debris may be transferred to marine ecosystems through atmospheric deposition, sewages, riverine runoffs, and be exchanged between the ocean and coastal ecosystems. This Research Topic will combine multidisciplinary knowledge on the response of marine ecosystems to marine debris pollution, source partitioning of marine debris, ecotoxicological damage of specific marine debris (e.g. micro-plastics) to marine fauna and flora, and how to harness marine debris for the sustainability of marine ecosystem services. Studies include field-based survey, laboratory experiments, meta-analysis, modelling work and reviews are welcome.
The following sub-topics of the Research Topic may include but are not limited to:
• Responses of marine ecosystems to marine debris pollution
• Source partitioning of marine debris, and the abundance and density of marine debris occurred in water column, sediments and ingested or digested by marine fauna, as well as entanglement of marine fauna by debris
• Degradation of marine debris microplastics, including physical, chemical and biological, as well as fate of marine debris
• Impact of climate change (e.g. extreme weather events and changes in precipitation regimes) on the abundance of marine debris
• Ecotoxicological studies on marine debris interaction with plants, algae, and animals
• Modelling hydrodynamic and atmospheric transport of debris to/among marine ecosystems
• Methodological advances in micro-plastics separation, identification and abstraction
• Management strategies, solutions and advice on marine debris
Marine debris is persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and disposed or abandoned in the marine environment, including coastal wetlands, beaches and the oceans. Marine debris include but not limited to plastics, metals, glasses, rubber, cloth, paper and cardboards. It is a worldwide problem that arouses widespread concern due to its adverse impact on marine ecosystems and potential threats to human health through commercial fisheries. Debris may be transferred to marine ecosystems through atmospheric deposition, sewages, riverine runoffs, and be exchanged between the ocean and coastal ecosystems. This Research Topic will combine multidisciplinary knowledge on the response of marine ecosystems to marine debris pollution, source partitioning of marine debris, ecotoxicological damage of specific marine debris (e.g. micro-plastics) to marine fauna and flora, and how to harness marine debris for the sustainability of marine ecosystem services. Studies include field-based survey, laboratory experiments, meta-analysis, modelling work and reviews are welcome.
The following sub-topics of the Research Topic may include but are not limited to:
• Responses of marine ecosystems to marine debris pollution
• Source partitioning of marine debris, and the abundance and density of marine debris occurred in water column, sediments and ingested or digested by marine fauna, as well as entanglement of marine fauna by debris
• Degradation of marine debris microplastics, including physical, chemical and biological, as well as fate of marine debris
• Impact of climate change (e.g. extreme weather events and changes in precipitation regimes) on the abundance of marine debris
• Ecotoxicological studies on marine debris interaction with plants, algae, and animals
• Modelling hydrodynamic and atmospheric transport of debris to/among marine ecosystems
• Methodological advances in micro-plastics separation, identification and abstraction
• Management strategies, solutions and advice on marine debris
