Plastic pollution is a widely recognized global problem with significant environmental and ecological risks, which have been a long-standing focus of research, particularly in marine and estuarine environments. Despite extensive studies in recent years, gaps in consistent data and holistic knowledge persist. These gaps are particularly apparent regarding sources contributions, quantities, transformation and transport processes, and the intricate distribution and accumulation hotspots of plastic and litter across environmental matrices and ecosystem compartments at a global scale. Addressing these knowledge gaps is critical to accurately assess potential risks, inform policy, and develop effective mitigation strategies.
In this session, we will explore the current state of knowledge and ongoing research on litter and macro-, micro-, and nanoplastics in estuarine and marine systems. The session will cover a wide range of topics, including:
• Recent findings on plastic distribution and accumulation in estuaries, shorelines, nearshore and open waters, nearshore and deep seafloor environments.
• Source-to-sink investigations, considering quantities and distribution across estuarine and marine environmental matrices (water, sediment and biota) and compartments (coastline, surface water, water column and seabed),
• Transport and accumulation/dispersal processes influenced by ocean currents, tides, waves and gyres.
• The role of extreme weather events, such as storms and floods, in redistributing plastic debris in estuarine and marine environments
• Impacts on biota, their structure and on different habitats from estuary and coastline to open waters, including seabed.
• Modelling approaches for local, regional, and global estimations of marine plastic accumulation and/or release to ocean basins, their impacts, and assessing the effectiveness of prevention and mitigation measures.
• Legislative and regulatory efforts, including international monitoring programs and measures aimed at reducing marine plastic pollution.