Bridging the gap: a review on the interaction between (micro)plastics and climate change

Source abstract

Climate change and microplastic pollution are two of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. Both have far-reaching effects on ecosystems, human health and global biodiversity. Climate change, driven by the increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs), leads to rising temperatures, altered weather patterns and ocean acidification, which can exacerbate the distribution and effects of microplastics. Microplastics, plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, originate from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic debris, microbeads and synthetic fibers. These particles are pervasive in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, posing significant risks to wildlife and human health. Emerging research highlights intricate interactions between climate change and microplastics. Elevated temperatures may accelerate plastic degradation, while extreme weather events can enhance microplastic transport and distribution across environments. These dynamics may disrupt critical processes like carbon sequestration, potentially affecting global carbon cycles. Understanding the interplay between these two environmental stressors is crucial for developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the link between climate change and microplastics, highlight key mechanisms and pathways, and identify gaps in the existing research, providing a comprehensive overview of their potential synergistic effects, while, simultaneously, offering recommendations for future research and policy development. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Sedimentology of plastics: state of the art and future directions’.