Plastics in the sea: An overview
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| Auteurs | | Top |
- Mladinich, K.
- Shumway, S.E.
- Vondolia, G.K.
- Ward, J.E.
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| Abstract |
Plastic has become essential in daily life as a result of the versatility and durability of polymers. End-of-life considerations, however, are rarely factored into plastic production. There is a limited understanding of how plastics break down and what role additives play in the natural environment across various polymer types. Waste mismanagement and littering have contributed to the vast accumulation of plastic waste in the oceans globally, originating from numerous sources. While the full extent of this waste remains unclear, ongoing modeling and monitoring efforts aim to improve an understanding of this issue. Plastic debris, found in a wide range of shapes and sizes–from macroscopic to nanoscopic–permeates the water column and negatively impacts marine organisms. Animals become entangled in debris or ingest plastic particles, mistaking them for food. This area of research has rapidly expanded in recent years, with growing efforts to characterize the complex dynamics of plastic pollution across diverse marine ecosystems. This chapter provides an overview of these marine debris issues, many of which will be further explored in this book. |
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