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Legacy oceanic plastic pollution must be addressed to mitigate possible long-term ecological impacts
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Researchers argue that the upcoming Global Plastics Treaty must address not only reducing new plastic entering oceans but also cleaning up the vast amounts already there — so-called "legacy" plastic pollution. As existing plastic slowly breaks down into microplastics and nanoplastics over centuries, it continues to disrupt ocean ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles, potentially rivaling climate change in its impact on marine food chains.
Abstract Scientific research over the past decade has demonstrated that plastic in our oceans has detrimental consequences for marine life at all trophic levels. As countries negotiate an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the focus is on eliminating plastic emissions to the environment. Here, we argue that, while this endeavour is urgently needed to limit the negative impacts of plastic on ocean ecosystems, the reduction of the plastic flow to the environment should not be the sole purpose of the negotiations. Legacy oceanic plastic pollution is also a major concern that needs to be addressed in the coming Treaty. Plastic is ubiquitous and persistent in the environment, and its slow degradation produces uncountable amounts of potentially even more impactful micro- and nanoparticles. Thus, plastic that is already present in the oceans may continue to affect ecosystems for centuries. Recent global assessments reveal that microplastics could have a significant impact on biogeochemical cycles and microbial food chains within ocean ecosystems that may be equivalent to those of climate change. Therefore, we argue that cleanup initiatives are essential to avoid further longterm impacts of legacy oceanic pollution. The upcoming international negotiations to develop a new Global Plastics Treaty should aim at urgently reducing the flow of plastic to the marine environment while supporting innovative solutions towards efficient monitoring and cleanup of the legacy oceanic plastic pollution.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.