New Plastic Pollution Types and Novel Sources of Microplastic Pollution in Marine Systems

Plastic pollution has been extensively studied over the past decades. For instance, it is well known that marine mammals and birds get entangled in discarded plastic fishing gear and that animals ingest microplastics (plastic particles < 5 mm). Such microplastics are either manufactured to be of small size (such as microbeads) or are caused by the breakdown of weathering plastic items. Therefore, microplastic sources usually comprise single-use items such as packaging material and beverage bottles. Recently, novel microplastic sources have been identified that have been largely neglected in the past. These sources include weathering polymer-based paints which have widely been recorded in, for instance, surface waters off the southern coast of Korea, Antarctic deep-sea sediments, and rocky intertidal snails from the North Sea, Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, reports on novel plastic forms, including ‘plasticrusts’, ‘pyroplastics’ and ‘plastiglomerates’, that differ profoundly from regular plastic debris, are steadily increasing.

To increase the awareness of the distribution, abundance and frequency of occurrence of such novel plastic pollution sources as well as their potential environmental effects, this Research Topic will investigate novel microplastic and plastic pollution sources (such as weathering paint) that have not yet gained adequate attention. By doing so, these novel plastic pollution sources can be identified and addressed by future research projects and mitigation measures. Furthermore, the location, composition and potential environmental effects of novel plastic pollution forms such as ‘plasticrusts’, ‘pyroplastics’ and ‘plastiglomerates’ will be identified to provide a baseline for including those types in future marine debris monitoring programs.

We welcome contributions focusing on any kind of novel plastic pollution source that has been neglected in the past. Regarding novel plastic forms, we welcome local as well as interregional studies and reviews. Furthermore, studies on the environmental effects of novel plastic forms are highly encouraged as well as studies on the occurrence, chemical composition and dynamics of ‘plasticrusts’, ‘pyroplastics’ or ‘plastiglomerates’. However, plastic and microplastic identification by visual means without any further plastic polymer type identification (by for instance Fourier-transform infrared or Raman spectroscopy) will not be accepted. Studies can focus on terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats.