About this Research Topic
Marine plastic debris is a widespread contaminant that is found from shallow coastal waters to deep sea trenches worldwide. As a consequence, all marine life, from microscopic bacteria over algae and invertebrates to large fish and gigantic mammals, are exposed to plastics. Microplastics (plastics < 5 mm), can be inhaled and consumed by organisms. Larger plastic items, such as ghost nets, can entangle and suffocate biota. Moreover, marine plastic debris provides additional surface for microbial biofilm formation and invertebrate settlement, which can alter the physical and chemical properties of the polymers and influence the fate and distribution of marine biota and of the plastic debris itself. As a man-made ecosystem, the plastisphere has the potential to facilitate biological invasions and the transportation of microbial pathogens. Thus, there is a multitude of possible interactions between biota and plastic debris with unforeseeable consequences from the physiological to the ecological level.
With this Research topic, we would like to draw attention to this multitude of interactions between marine organisms (bacteria, plants, animals) and plastic debris. By reporting on these interactions, potential threats to marine organisms and environments can be better identified and mitigated.
We welcome contributions from field research and laboratory experiments. We also welcome studies from freshwater and terrestrial habitats if they are clearly linked to marine environments. Regarding animals, microplastic ingestion is a well-known phenomenon that has been studied in detail. Therefore, while we do welcome studies on microplastic ingestion, we especially encourage submissions that have investigated other interactions between animals and plastic as well as their consequences.
With this Research topic, we would like to draw attention to this multitude of interactions between marine organisms (bacteria, plants, animals) and plastic debris. By reporting on these interactions, potential threats to marine organisms and environments can be better identified and mitigated.
We welcome contributions from field research and laboratory experiments. We also welcome studies from freshwater and terrestrial habitats if they are clearly linked to marine environments. Regarding animals, microplastic ingestion is a well-known phenomenon that has been studied in detail. Therefore, while we do welcome studies on microplastic ingestion, we especially encourage submissions that have investigated other interactions between animals and plastic as well as their consequences.
Keywords: Plastisphere, Microplastic, Bacteria, Plants, Animals, Consumption, Inhalation, Blockage, Suffocation, Injury, Entaglement, Settlement, Biofouling, Biofilms, Pathogen Transport, Biological Invasions
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
