Plastic pollution impacts on marine carbon biogeochemistry

One of the major challenges in understanding the dynamics of the ocean's health and functioning is the potential impact of the increasing presence of plastic. Besides the verified and macroscopic effects on marine wildlife and habitats, micro and macroplastics offer potential sites for microbial activity and chemical leaching. Most marine plastic is found initially in the upper meters of the water column, where fundamental biogeochemical processes drive marine productivity and food web dynamics. However, recent findings show a continuum of potential effects of these new marine components on carbon, nutrients and microbial processes. In the present analysis, we develop a common ground between these studies and we identify knowledge gaps where new research efforts should be focused, to better determine potential feedbacks of plastics on the carbon biogeochemistry of a changing ocean. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The increasing presence of plastic in the ocean poses a major challenge in understanding its health and functioning dynamics, potentially impacting marine wildlife, habitats, microbial activity, and chemical processes. Research shows a continuum of effects of marine plastics on carbon, nutrients, and microbial processes, highlighting the need for further studies on the potential feedbacks of plastics on the changing ocean's carbon biogeochemistry.