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The consequence that is plastiglomerate
Abstract
First documented in 2014, plastiglomerate continues to proliferate across the Earth’s surface. While these materials represent long-lasting symbols of anthropogenic impacts on the environment, they also highlight the need to address the global plastic crisis.
... These man-made aggregates were initially discovered at Kamilo Beach, Hawaii, and have since been reported in Indonesia, the United States, Portugal, Canada, and Peru. However, further physicochemical characterization is needed to identify their exact composition (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020;Corcoran et al., 2018;De-la-Torre et al., 2022). Plastiglomerate is commonly referred to as a "new type of rock" (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). ...
... However, further physicochemical characterization is needed to identify their exact composition (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020;Corcoran et al., 2018;De-la-Torre et al., 2022). Plastiglomerate is commonly referred to as a "new type of rock" (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). It is frequently produced when solid trash burns in landfills and illegally cremated plastic that is burned over open flames, in campfires, or backyard bonfires (De-la-Torre et al., 2022). ...
... It is frequently produced when solid trash burns in landfills and illegally cremated plastic that is burned over open flames, in campfires, or backyard bonfires (De-la-Torre et al., 2022). Plastiglomerates were originally discovered in Kamilo Beach, Hawaii (Corcoran et al., 2018), and they are thought to represent a possible Anthropocene marker (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). Later, the names "plasticrust" (first described by Gestoso et al., 2019), "pyroplastic" (first described by Turner et al., 2019), and "anthropoquina" (first described by Fernandino et al., 2020) were introduced. ...
One of the most significant environmental issues confronting our world is plastic trash, which is of particular concern to the marine environment. The sedimentary record of the planet may likely one day contain a horizon of plastic that can be potentially identified as an Anthropocene marker. Here we report the presence of 'plas-tiglomerate' from coastal habitats located in the Aves Island, Andaman Sea, India. This novel form of plastic pollution forms with the incineration of plastic litter in the environment and then mixing of organic/inorganic composite materials in the molten plastic matrix. The plastic pollutants were collected from the Aves Island beach during marine litter surveys. Micro-Raman (μ-Raman) spectroscopy was used to evaluate and confirm all putative plastic forms. Plastiglomerates were made of a polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix with inclusions of rock and sand. Therefore, our research offers new insight into the intricate process of plas-tiglomerates formation.
... Observations of interactions between environmental factors and pyroplastic are also lacking (De-la-Torre et al., 2021), yet such observations are urgently needed to identify environmental drivers of pyroplastic dynamics. Although there are several visual plastiglomerate records (Corcoran et al., 2014;Zalasiewicz et al., 2016;Robertson, 2017;Corcoran et al., 2018;Turner et al., 2019;Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020;De-la-Torre et al., 2021;Furukuma, 2021;Arturo and Corcoran, 2022;De-la-Torre et al., 2022;Ellrich and Ehlers, 2022), very few of them have been verified to actually contain plastic by spectroscopic analyses (Turner et al., 2019;De-la-Torre et al., 2022;Ellrich and Ehlers, 2022). From the methodological and the scientific perspective, the lack of spectroscopic analyses is unfortunate because spectroscopically verified visual records could facilitate plastiglomerate detection during field surveys and clean-ups, improve the quality of the records, enable more detailed comparisons between studies and allow conclusions regarding the plastic sources from which the plastiglomerates derived. ...
... During each survey at low tide, we thoroughly examined the entire top layer of both transects (Furukuma, 2021). To identify pyroplastics and plastiglomerates, we primarily compared our samples visually with published pyroplastic and plastiglomerate pictures (Corcoran et al., 2014;Zalasiewicz et al., 2016;Robertson, 2017;Corcoran et al., 2018;Turner et al., 2019;Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020;Ehlers and Ellrich, 2020;Furukuma, 2021;de Vos et al., 2022;Ellrich and Ehlers, 2022). We also performed floating tests in a tap water-filled bowl (Furukuma, 2021) to differentiate between low-density pyroplastics and rocks. ...
... 3F, S10). Since plastiglomerate featuring clastic and in-situ characteristics was not described in previous works (Corcoran et al., 2014;Zalasiewicz et al., 2016;Robertson, 2017;Corcoran et al., 2018;Turner et al., 2019;Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020;De-la-Torre et al., 2021;Furukuma, 2021;Arturo and Corcoran, 2022;De-la-Torre et al., 2022;Ellrich and Ehlers, 2022), plastiglomerate 7 constitutes the first record of a novel plastiglomerate subtype that we term "clastic/in-situ plastiglomerate". ...
Pyroplastic and plastiglomerate are novel plastic forms that are currently being reported from coastal beaches worldwide. Pyroplastic is burned plastic with a rock-like appearance. Plastiglomerate is a solid bond consisting of either melted plastic attached to rock (in-situ plastiglomerate) or a melted plastic matrix containing (in)organic material (clastic plastiglomerate). Both plastic forms have been related to the (un)intentional burning of plastic. Yet, information on pyroplastic and plastiglomerate from estuarine habitats is limited to a pilot study (for this study) and knowledge of pyroplastic and plastiglomerate dynamics as well as the underlying drivers is missing. To address these knowledge gaps, we frequently surveyed stranded pyroplastics and plastiglomerates in the Ariho River estuary (Honshu, Japan) over seven months and studied the collected samples at the lab. In total, 37 pyroplastics (consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, alkyd resin, polyacrylate styrene and polyvinyl chloride) and seven plastiglomerates (consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene) occurred. While pyroplastics occurred frequently, plastiglomerates occurred occasionally which indicates that both forms are common. Pyroplastic (but not plastiglomerate) occurrence and density (items/m²) were related to intertidal elevation. Strandline pyroplastic density, that contributed heavily to the pyroplastic and plastiglomerate entirety, increased under prevailing onshore winds which shows that such winds are environmental drivers of pyroplastic density. Floating tests revealed that clastic plastiglomerate can float. Macro-, micro- and spectroscopic examinations indicated only slight pyroplastic and plastiglomerate weathering which suggests the regional and/or recent formation of both plastic forms. Additionally, we detected the first plastiglomerate with clastic and in-situ features (a plastic matrix containing (in)organic material firmly melted to a rock) which constituted a novel plastiglomerate subtype that we termed “clastic/in-situ plastiglomerate”. Overall, our study initiates the development of the fundamental understandings of pyroplastic and plastiglomerate dynamics and the underlying drivers in estuaries.
... In 2014, Patricia L. Corcoran first described and documented "plastiglomerates", a composite material consisting of multiple organic and inorganic pieces or debris (e.g., sediment, sand, wood, rocks, shells) within a melted plastic matrix (Corcoran et al., 2014). Plastiglomerates were first reported in Kamilo Beach, Hawaii (Corcoran et al., 2018), and have been regarded as a potential marker of the Anthropocene (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). Later on, the terms "plasticrust" (first documented in 2019), "pyroplastic" (first documented in 2019), and "anthropoquina" (first documented in 2020) were coined. ...
... However, this is a common misconception due to the appearance of plastiglomerates and other types of plastic formations. While rocks form naturally, the new plastic formations consist of anthropogenic materials (i.e., plastic) and are formed through anthropogenic activities (e.g., waste burning) (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). Hence, the plastic formations described in the present study should be regarded as such rather than "new rock types". ...
... Plastiglomerates mostly consisted of a synthetic polymer matrix comprised of various colors with rock and sand inclusions, as displayed in Fig. 2a. Similar to the description made by Corcoran and Jazvac (2020), the plastiglomerates found in the present study presented vesicles (gas bubble pores) and amygdales (vesicles filled with another material) on their surface (Fig. S1). In the plastiglomerate displayed in Fig. 2a, 30 vesicles were measured using ImageJ, ranging from 0.44 to 3.70 mm (mean of 1.27 ± 0.85 mm). ...
Beaches in the Anthropocene carry the heavy burden of human-derived pollution, like that induced by plastic litter. For decades, plastic debris has been classified based on its source or physical size. In recent years, studies described and documented new forms of plastic formations, including plastiglomerates, plasticrusts, and pyroplas-tics. However, reports of these newly described formations are substantially lacking. Therefore, in the present study, we reported the first evidence of plasticrusts (plastic encrusting rock surfaces), plastiglomerates (organic/ inorganic composite materials in a plastic matrix), and pyroplastics (burned and weathered plastics) in Peru. The plastic pollutants were recovered from the field through marine litter surveys on four beaches where illegal litter burning and campfires take place. All the suspected plastic formations were analyzed and confirmed using Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and one of each type was analyzed by X-Ray fluorescence (EDX) spectrometry. Plastiglomerates consisted of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) matrix with rock and sand inclusions. Pyroplastics were found in various stages of weathering and consisted of various polymers, including HDPE, PP, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyamide (PA). Interestingly, our field observations suggest a new plasticrust formation pathway based on plastic burning and filling of rock crevices with molten plastic. The latter was identified as either PP or HDPE. Elements typically found in the sand and seawater (e.g., Na, Cl, Ca, Si, Fe) were identified on the surface of the plastic formations, as well as others that could potentially be associated with the leaching of additives (e.g., Ti, Br). Although the present study contributed to the knowledge concerning the occurrence of the new types of plastic formations, as well as possible formation pathways, there are still many questions to answer. Hence, we encourage future studies to focus on the toxicity that new plastic formations may induce in contrast with conventional plastics, the release of secondary contaminants (e.g., microplastics, additives), and their degradation in the environment. Lastly, standardized sampling and data treatment protocols are required.
... To date, plastiglomerate and pyroplastic were mainly recorded in backshore habitats (i.e., from the terrestrial vegetation line to the natural high tide strandline; Corcoran et al., 2014;Corcoran et al., 2018;Turner et al., 2019;Ehlers and Ellrich, 2020;Furukuma, 2021) and have been suggested to be flushed into the sea by high waves or heavy rainfall (Turner et al., 2019;Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). Due to its ability to float, pyroplastic is often found washed up along high tide strandlines (Turner et al., 2019;Furukuma, 2021). ...
... We manually examined the entire top layer of each transect for plastiglomerate and pyroplastic. To identify potential plastiglomerate and pyroplastic, we visually compared the material to published plastiglomerate and pyroplastic pictures (Corcoran et al., 2014;Zalasiewicz et al., 2016;Robertson, 2017;Corcoran et al., 2018;Turner et al., 2019;Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020;Ehlers and Ellrich, 2020). Then, we differentiated between both plastic debris forms, natural rocks and pebbles by performing floating tests (Turner et al., 2019) in a seawater filled bowl and collected the plastiglomerate and pyroplastic in padded bags for transportation to the lab. ...
... Our FTIR analyses confirmed that PG 1 and PP 1 consisted of a mixture of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP; Fig. 2A) whereas PP 2-4 consisted of PP (Fig. 2B). Since all previous findings of plastiglomerate and pyroplastic were made on sandy shores (Corcoran et al., 2014;Zalasiewicz et al., 2016;Corcoran et al., 2018;Turner et al., 2019;Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020;Ehlers and Ellrich, 2020;Furukuma, 2021), our findings provide the first record of these novel plastic debris forms from pebble beach habitats worldwide. ...
Plastiglomerate and pyroplastic are two novel plastic debris forms that were originally discovered on sandy beaches in Hawaii and the UK, respectively. While plastiglomerate consists of plastic melted together with rocks or pebbles, pyroplastic is melted plastic. Although both plastic debris forms were related to campfires, it is unclear whether they are related to each other. Also, plastiglomerate and pyroplastic records from other shore types are missing. Therefore, we surveyed pebble beach habitats in Madeira Island (Atlantic Ocean) for plastiglomerate and pyroplastic. We detected one plastiglomerate (PG 1 , including a pebble) and four pyroplastics (PP 1-4). While PP 2-4 consisted of polypropylene, PG 1 and PP 1 consisted of polyethylene and polypropylene. Furthermore, PG 1 and PP 1 included previously undescribed pebble shaped clasts that unequivocally linked plastiglomerate to pyroplastic. Thereby, our findings provide the first record of plastiglomerate and pyroplastic from pebble beach habitats worldwide and establish the link between these two novel plastic debris forms.
... In 2014, plastiglomerates were first described as an anthropogenic multi-composite matrix consisting of melted plastic, beach sediment or sand, basaltic lava debris and pieces of organic material (Corcoran et al., 2014) (Fig. 1a). These anthropogenic formations were reported for the first time in Kamilo Beach, Hawaii, and have been later observed in other parts of the world, including Indonesia, USA, Portugal, and Canada (Corcoran et al., 2018;Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020), although further physical-chemical characterization is required to understand their composition. Plastiglomerates are commonly referred to as a new type of rock. ...
... Plastiglomerates are commonly referred to as a new type of rock. However, they are not officially defined as that, since rocks form naturally while plastiglomerates are the result of anthropogenic processes and materials (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). Like natural rocks, vesicles, and amygdules of plastic are commonly seen in plastiglomerates (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). ...
... However, they are not officially defined as that, since rocks form naturally while plastiglomerates are the result of anthropogenic processes and materials (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). Like natural rocks, vesicles, and amygdules of plastic are commonly seen in plastiglomerates (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). Corcoran et al. (2014) reported two types of plastiglomerates, the in situ types in which molten plastic adhered to rock surfaces, and a clastic-like indurated agglutination of basalt, shells and wood debris in a plastic matrix (Corcoran et al., 2014). ...
Plastic pollution is one of the major challenges in the Anthropocene. Upon reaching the marine environment, plastic debris is subject to anthropogenic and environmental conditions that result in novel items that vary in composition, physical and chemical characteristics. Here, we reviewed and discussed the potential fate and threat to the environment of four recently described plastic formations: Plastiglomerates, pyroplastics, plasticrusts, and anthropoquinas. The threats identified were mostly related to the release of toxic chemicals and plastic ingestion. Transportation of alien invasive species or microbial pathogens and fragmentation of larger plastics into microplastics (<5 mm), potentially reaching marine trophic webs, are suspected as potential impacts based on the characteristics of these plastic formations. Some plastic forms may persist in the environment and voyage across the ocean, while others are denser and less likely to enter the plastic cycle or interact with biota. In the latter case, plastics are expected to become buried in the sediment and incorporate into the geological record. It is necessary to establish sampling protocols or standards that are specific to each plastic formation and start reporting the occurrence of these new plastic categories as such to avoid underestimating plastic pollution in marine environments. It is suggested that monitoring plans include these categories and identify potential sources. Further research must focus on investigating whether the suspected impacts are a matter of concern. In this sense, we have suggested research questions to address the knowledge gaps and have a better understanding of the impacts and distribution of the new plastic forms.
... 'Pyroplastics' drifting has been confirmed on the North American and European Atlantic coasts, including the southwestern coast of England, the North American Pacific coast (Turner et al., 2019), and even on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (Ehlers and Ellrich, 2020). 'Plastiglomerates', composites formed by mixing plastic with stone when it is burned, has been confirmed in the Hawaiian islands in the North-Central Pacific Ocean (Corcoran et al., 2014), and many coastal locations including Indonesia (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). 'Plasticrusts', plastic debris embedded in rock, have been confirmed in volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean (Gestoso et al., 2019). ...
... From the preceding reports, the occurrence of these 'new plastic formations' is considered to be global. However, although there is one report of 'plastiglomerates' (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020), there have been few reports from coastal areas on the Asian side of the Pacific Ocean, so there was a lack of information concerning the distribution of 'new plastic formations' in these areas. In this study, 'new plastic formations', consisting mainly of 'pyroplastics', which were confirmed to have drifted on the coast of the Suo-Nada in Yamaguchi Prefecture, located at the northwestern tip of the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, were described. ...
... burning)'(Corcoran and Jazvac 2020, 6). Since 2014, plastiglomerates of similar morphology have continued to proliferate on the beaches of Bali (Indonesia), California (USA), Ontario (Canada), Madeira (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain)(Corcoran and Jazvac 2020;Gestoso et al. 2019). ...
This paper discusses new types of naturecultural heritage that have emerged during the Anthropocene. The authors trace and analyze novel records of the ongoing geological event and propose a method of surface-oriented ethnogra- phy to investigate heritage in the Anthropocene. We argue that rethinking history in the Anthropocene means to think through new forms of heritage that emerge in the course of ecological processes of decomposition, decay and loss. The case studies analyzed in the article focus on matzevahs colonized by lichens and mosses, and on plasticrusts, a new form of tangible heritage characteristic for the Anthropocene. By investigating these two examples, the paper considers the significance of future heritage for studies in the history of the Anthropocene.
... Plastiglomerates were first described in 2014 by Corcoran et al. as the combination of melted plastic, sediments, basaltic lava fragments, and organic debris (Corcoran et al., 2014). They were first found in Kamilo beach (Hawai) and later observed in other regions like Indonesia, United States of America (USA), Portugal, Canada (Corcoran et al., 2018;Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020;Ellrich and Ehlers, 2022) or Japan (Furukuma, 2021). The main source of this type of marine litter is the uncontrolled burning of waste (Corcoran et al., 2014). ...
Oil residues have been frequently found on the coasts all over the world as a result of different accidental releases. Their partial evaporation and solidification onto the coastal rocks can produce the formation of a new solid structure forming an agglomerate with other materials, mainly microplastics (though wood, glass, sand and rocks were also found), yielding to a new plastic formation, name herein for the first time as “plastitar”. These new formations have been found in several of the islands of the Canary Islands archipelago (Spain). Their study has shown that these new formations can be permanently attached to the rock, occupying even a 56% of the sampled area with an heterogeneous distribution. It was also observed that the studied plastitar was composed mainly of tar and polyethylene (90.6% of the studied particles) and polypropylene (9.4% of the studied particles) microplastics, primarily fragments (82.5%), pellets (15.7%) and lines (1.8%). The ever more frequent presence of plastics and, in particular, microplastics in coastal environments can lead to the common occurrence of these new plastic formations (probably present in other parts of the world), which long-term effects on the coasts should be further investigated.
... The abundance of MPs ranged from 14 to 895 n/kg of compost, and it has been estimated that compost releases between 35 billion and 2.2 trillion MP particles into the environment annually in Germany (Weithmann et al., 2018). Moreover, instances of plastiglomerate that was generated in the beach by burning plastic waste were found in many locations: like Bali, Indonesia, California, USA, Madeira, Portugal and Ontario, Canada (Corcoran and Jazvac, 2020). The cases indicated that the plastic waste did not end up by landfilling, composting, and burning, but resulted in plastic pollution crisis. ...
It is widely accepted that incineration can permanently eliminate plastic waste. However, unburned material still exists in the bottom ash that is a solid residue from incinerators. In this study, microplastics exacted from bottom ash in 12 mass burn incinerators, one bottom ash disposal center and four fluidized bed incinerators were identified by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that bottom ash was a neglected microplastics source with an abundance of 1.9-565 n/kg, which indicated that per metric ton waste produce 360 to 102,000 microplastic particles after incineration. Nine types of plastics were identified, of which polypropylene and polystyrene were the predominant types. Microplastics sized between 50 μm and 1 mm accounted for 74%. Granules, fragments, film, and fibers accounted for 43%, 34%, 18%, and 5% of the microplastic, respectively. The abundance of microplastics differed significantly with whether the local waste was source-separated, the local gross domestic product per capita, and the types of furnace. The global microplastics emission from incineration bottom ash was then estimated. Our observations provide empirical evidence proving that incineration is not the terminator of plastic waste, and bottom ash is a potential source of microplastics released into the environment.
Background: Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances of modern civilization in fields as diverse as medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, and sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth’s environment. These harms occur at every stage of the plastic life cycle, from extraction of the coal, oil, and gas that are its main feedstocks through to ultimate disposal into the environment. The extent of these harms not been systematically assessed, their magnitude not fully quantified, and their economic costs not comprehensively counted.
Goals: The goals of this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health are to comprehensively examine plastics’ impacts across their life cycle on: (1) human health and well-being; (2) the global environment, especially the ocean; (3) the economy; and (4) vulnerable populations—the poor, minorities, and the world’s children. On the basis of this examination, the Commission offers science-based recommendations designed to support development of a Global Plastics Treaty, protect human health, and save lives.
Conclusions: It is now clear that current patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal are not sustainable and are responsible for significant harms to human health, the environment, and the economy as well as for deep societal injustices.
The main driver of these worsening harms is an almost exponential and still accelerating increase in global plastic production. Plastics’ harms are further magnified by low rates of recovery and recycling and by the long persistence of plastic waste in the environment. The thousands of chemicals in plastics—monomers, additives, processing agents, and non-intentionally added substances—include amongst their number known human carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, and persistent organic pollutants. These chemicals are responsible for many of plastics’ known harms to human and planetary health. The chemicals leach out of plastics, enter the environment, cause pollution, and result in human exposure and disease. All efforts to reduce plastics’ hazards must address the hazards of plastic-associated chemicals.
Intertidal, silty sediment samples have been collected from three coastal locations with different uses and anthropogenic signatures in the vicinity of Plymouth, southwest England, and analysed for microplastics (MPs) by two independent means. Firstly, MPs were counted and characterised directly on unprocessed dried sediment under a light microscope, and secondly MPs were isolated from sediment by flotation in ZnCl2 solution and filtration before analysis. Direct counting resulted in average (± one standard deviation) of MPs per g of dry sediment of 0.77 ± 0.16 at a marina-harbour, 0.58 ± 0.30 under a busy road bridge and 0.79 ± 0.43 adjacent to country parkland. After flotation and filtration, concentrations were reduced to 0.24 ± 0.11, 0.18 ± 0.06 and 0.48 ± 0.38 MP g⁻¹, respectively. Observations were attributed to hetero-aggregation of small fibres with settling sediment during flotation, and the presence of MPs (including paints) that were too dense to float or that had aggregated or agglomerated with denser sediment and construction material in situ. The findings have implications for the efficacy of flotation procedures, accurate estimations of MP concentrations in sediment and the representativeness of MPs by type, and inter-site comparisons of MPs that are widely reported in the literature.
The earth is drowning in plastic waste. Yet, as the plastic waste crisis grows exponentially, responses to excess waste remain stuck around containment and management processes. These approaches fail to notice that plastics know no boundaries. We now encounter plastic rocks, plastic water, plastic bodies, plastic worlds spilling into oceans and rivers and across landscapes. Responding to the complexity of plastic’s unruly presence demands careful attention both globally and within situated local contexts. This article explores how the queer synthetic curriculum takes up the concept of excess through common worlding waste pedagogies to attend to children’s relations with plastic waste. We speculate with the idea of excess by making large amounts of plastic the main protagonist in an early childhood classroom. Disrupting waste management’s metaphors of distance, we exaggerate plastic’s presence: a plastic whale stomach is stuffed with plastic bottles, dozens of bottles hang from the ceiling, hundreds of bottles are strewn across the classroom floor, and crochet hooks turn out plastic yarn balls. Without claiming to develop children’s understanding of the problematic nature of waste, this article stories moments of excess that might provoke subjective transformations as children encounter excess in their daily lives.
Plastic litter is one of key reasons of environmental concern due to its adverse effect on ecosystem and health. Exposure of plastic litter to anthropogenic and ecological conditions results in a variety of emerging litter variants that fluctuate in composition, mechanical, and chemical properties. Considering the properties of these plastic litter variants, it is anticipated that the transportation of foreign species or microbial pathogens together with these litter variants is most likely to affect the marine ecosystem. Moreover the plastic litter may enter the plastic cycle or marine biota and can spread across the ocean. Very recently several emerging plastic litter variants such as anthropoquinas, plasticrust, pyroplastic, plastitar, and plastiglomerate have been reported along the coastal areas across the oceans. The purpose of this perspective is to comprehend these emerging plastic litter variants, integrate the latest developments and highlight their adverse effects on the coastal ecosystem. Further, it details the make-up, place of origin, and management strategies for these plastic litter variants.
This book considers the ability of individuals and communities to maintain healthy relationships with their surroundings—before, during and after catastrophic events—through physical activity and sporting practices.
Broad and ambitious in scope, this book uses sport and physical activity as a lens through which to examine our catastrophic societies and spaces. Acknowledging that catastrophes are complex, overlapping phenomena in need of sophisticated, interdisciplinary solutions, this book explores the social, economic, ecological and moral injustices that determine the personal and emotional impact of catastrophe. Drawing from international case studies, this book uniquely explores the different landscapes and contexts of catastrophe as well as the affective qualities of sporting practices. This includes topics such as DIY skateparks in Jamaica; former child soldiers in Africa; the funding of sport, recreation and cultural activities by extractive industries in northern Canada; mountain biking in the UK; and urban exploration in New Zealand. Featuring the work of ex-professional athletes, artists, anthropologists, sociologists, political ecologists, community development workers and philosophers, this book offers new perspectives on capitalism, nature, sociality, morality and identity.
This is essential reading for academics and practitioners in sociology, disaster studies, sport-for-development and political ecology.
Continuous input of plastic litter in ocean and coastal environments achieved alarming levels that are exposing new settings in natural systems. While novel plastic debris pollution, with rock-like appearance, has been reported worldwide, fundamentally geological analyses are still lacking. We surveyed the first occurrence of multiple associated plastic debris on a single outcrop located in a remote site (Trindade Island, SE Atlantic Ocean). Even though all plastic debris forms consisted of polypropylene and polyethylene, through a sedimentary approach (cross section, macro, and micro analyses) distinct types were identified. We detected plastiglomerates, geogenic analogous to conglomerates, divided into in situ and clastic types, and formed over beach sediment. We identified plastistones as a new type with homogeneous composition (lacking incorporated materials), geogenic-looking igneous rocks, divided into in situ and clastic types, and formed over rock surfaces. We linked pyroplastics, geogenic analogous to clasts, to clastic plastiglomerates/plastistones, therefore representing clastic types of plastic debris forms. This association was correlated in a depositional system model, which suggests that plastic debris forms are rock synthetic equivalents in which humans act as depositional and post-depositional agents.
Micro-(nano-)plastics have become emerging contaminants worldwide in recent years. However, there has not been a critical review on their fate and potential risk in intertidal zones with different geological conditions. Thus, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the roles of intertidal zones in accumulation or transportation of microplastics, involving convergence, migration, plastiglomerate, and ingestion effects. It is found that microplastics (MPs) are likely to be stranded in mudflats but be transported across the sandy beaches according to their intrinsic and external conditions. Meanwhile, MPs could also form the contamination of plastiglomerate and act as vectors for contaminants, even pathogens, in rocky and biological beaches. Thus, MPs together with nanoplastics (NPs) could potentially threaten the ecosystems of the intertidal zone by their ingestion and translocation. In view of the upsurge of personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19, the occurrence of discarded PPE in the intertidal zones has also been summarized and discussed. Despite that the amount of discarded PPE is relatively smaller than other MPs, the pollution caused by these wastes could increase the possibility for pathogen-attached MPs becoming the source for spreading disease among wildlife and humans. It will be of vital importance for understanding the roles of intertidal zone in influencing the fate and ecotoxicity of the MPs. Moreover, the in-depth discussion on fate of the PPE in each kinds of intertidal zones can be conducive to drawing more attentions on plastic concerns in COVID-19 pandemic and achieving environmental sustainability.
The content of (micro)plastics and heavy metals were investigated in the fly ash, bottom ash and surface soil samples from a municipal solid waste incinerate plant. The abundance of microplastics was 23, 171, and 86 particles/kg dw, respectively. The type of microplastics in fly ash was fiber, and the main type in bottom ash and soil samples was fragment (43.0% and 29.3%), followed by film (26.3% and 25.0%), foam (13.0% and 25.1%), and fiber (17.7% and 20.7%). Most of the microplastics had obvious tearing marks, with the protrusions and scratches on their surfaces. Several types of heavy metals such as Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb were adsorbed on the surface of microplastics. Additionally, the column test demonstrated that the microplastics and heavy metals in the bottom ash can be significantly dissolved out under the impact of external precipitation. Results also indicated that acid rain precipitation easily dissolved heavy metals into the water environment from the bottom ash without special treatment or protection. This paper investigated the combined migration of microplastics and heavy metals from the bottom ash, which can provide theoretical basis for further study of properly treating the bottom ash and exploring the environmental behavior.
Recognition of increasing plastic debris pollution over the last several decades has led to investigations of the imminent dangers posed to marine organisms and their ecosystems, but very little is known about the preservation potential of plastics in the rock record. As anthropogenically derived materials, plastics are astonishingly abundant in oceans, seas, and lakes, where they accumulate at or near the water surface, on lake and ocean bottoms, and along shorelines. The burial potential of plastic debris is chiefly dependent on the material's density and abundance, in addition to the depositional environment. Here, we report the appearance of a new "stone" formed through intermingling of melted plastic, beach sediment, basaltic lava fragments, and organic debris from Kamilo Beach on the island of Hawaii. The material, herein referred to as "plastiglomerate," is divided into in situ and clastic types that were distributed over all areas of the beach. Agglutination of natural sediments to melted plastic during campfire burning has increased the overall density of plastiglomerate, which inhibits transport by wind or water, thereby increasing the potential for burial and subsequent preservation. Our results indicate that this anthropogenically influenced material has great potential to form a marker horizon of human pollution, signaling the occurrence of the informal Anthropocene epoch.
Items of marine plastic litter are conventionally classified as primary or secondary, depending on whether they are distinct objects or angular fragments, respectively. "Pyroplastic" is an additional type of plastic litter that is described here, based on observations made on beached samples from south west England. Pyroplastics are derived from the informal or more organised burning of manufactured plastics and may be angular "plastiglomerates", comprising pieces of plastic debris within a matrix, or rounded plastic "pebbles", where agglomerated material has been weathered and smoothed into more brittle and neutrally-coloured geogenic-looking clasts. Beached pyroplastics are usually positively buoyant because of a polyethylene or polypropylene matrix, and exhibit a bimodal mass distribution attributed to the breakage of larger clasts (>20 mm) into smaller fragments (<5 mm). XRF analysis reveals variable quantities of Pb in the matrix (up to 7500 μg g-1), often in the presence of Cr, implying that material in many samples pre-dates restrictions on the use of lead chromate. Low concentrations of Br and Sb relative to pieces of manufactured plastics in the marine environment suggest that pyroplastics are not directly or indirectly derived from electronic plastic. Calcareous worm tubes on the surfaces of pyroplastics dense enough to be temporarily submerged in the circalittoral zone are enriched in Pb, suggesting that constituents within the matrix are partly bioavailable. Evading ready detection due to their striking visual similarity to geogenic material, pyroplastics may contribute to an underestimation of the stock of beached plastics in many cases.
Plastic debris is one of the most extensive pollution problems our planet is facing today and a particular concern for marine environment conservation. The dimension of the problem is so large that it is possible our current era will generate an anthropogenic marker horizon of plastic in earth's sedimentary record. Here we present a new type of plastic pollution, the 'plasticrusts', plastic debris encrusting the rocky surface, recently discovered in the intertidal rocky shores of a volcanic Atlantic island. The potential impact that these new 'plasticrusts' may have needs to be further explored, as e.g. potential ingestion by intertidal organisms could suppose a new pathway for entrance of plastics into marine food webs. Consequently, its inclusion as a potential new marine debris category in management and monitoring actions should be pondered.