Topic: Abundance, Distribution, Composition, Transport, and Accumulation of Floating Litter in the Marine Environment

The rising global production and utilization of plastic materials have resulted in the buildup of vast quantities of plastic waste in the Earth's oceans. Properties such as lightweight, strong mechanical properties, and affordability render plastics widely used in various industries and daily activities. However, their high durability causes synthetic polymers to persist in marine environments, posing threats to a wide array of organisms. Scientific interest in plastic pollution has surged in recent years, yielding significant advancements since the initial reports emerged half a century ago. Presently, there is a better comprehension of the primary sources and impacts of many synthetic polymers commonly encountered in marine ecosystems. Nonetheless, a comprehensive understanding of the global plastic cycle remains elusive. While it is commonly assumed that most plastic waste originates from land-based sources, recent studies suggest that sea-based sources also play a significant role.

Despite this, there is a substantial disparity between estimates of plastic inputs from land and the total amount of plastic observed floating at sea. Recent research indicates that coastal areas, the water column, and deep-sea sediments may account for this discrepancy. However, the precise fluxes and fate of most plastics entering the ocean annually remain unknown. Numerous unresolved questions persist, and a complete understanding of the primary processes involved in the full lifecycle of plastics within natural ecosystems remains distant.

This Special Issue invites studies and review articles on various aspects of plastic pollution in marine environments. These include investigations into sources, sinks, residence times, and accumulation patterns of floating macro- and micro-litter, as well as papers addressing the main factors influencing the occurrence, abundance, distribution, and composition of floating litter in marine ecosystems. Additionally, submissions focusing on remote sensing, ocean modeling, deep-sea exploration, and the development of innovative, cost-effective sensors and methodologies for studying the abundance of floating macro and microplastics (including microfibers) in marine environments are highly encouraged.

Plastic pollution, microplastics, marine litter, transport, marine debris

15 Feb 2025