Frias, João, Müller, Carolin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6848-2374 and Capuano, Tonia Astrid (2023) Policy brief - Plastic pollution and the plastisphere: findings and recommendations. . , 10 pp. DOI https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10560911.

Text Carolin Müller.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0. Download (594kB)

Abstract

Plastic pollution is an environmental concern due to the magnitude of mismanaged plastics reaching the environment and affecting it in different ways. Their physicochemical properties, including their light weight, resistance to corrosion and low degradation rates, allow plastics to travel great distances in the environment. Plastics undergo weathering, degradation, and fragmentation processes through exposure to ultraviolet radiation, abrasion, and interactions with biota. The JPI Oceans funded ‘MicroplastiX’ project explored the interaction between plastics, microorganisms, and the biofilm layer at the surface, which is a less studied scientific area. Moreover, the project also focussed on the organic and inorganic pollutants in this surface biofilm layer, commonly known as ‘plastisphere’.

This brief highlights the main project findings resulting from case-studies carried out in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. These aimed to assess the (1) environmental microplastic (MP) concentrations, (2) genetic diversity and accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and trace metals in the plastisphere and the (3) polymer type spectral changes from in situ experiments. The aim of this international collaborative and interdisciplinary project was to improve the understanding of how degradation mechanisms affect plastics in natural environments. The team included a network of scientists from diverse research fields (chemistry, biology, microbiology, physics and mathematical modelling), and countries (Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, and Brazil), working in synergy to address gaps on the pathways and fate of plastics in coastal and open ocean waters.

Document Type:	Report (Policy Brief)
Programme Area:	PA Not Applicable
Research affiliation:	Science Management > ZMT Academy
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10560911
Date Deposited:	28 Mar 2025 13:41
Last Modified:	28 Mar 2025 13:41
URI:	http://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/5638

Actions (login required)

View Item