Maya Ellison
Plastic has become a geological phenomenon. Plastic waste can become intertwined with natural rock elements, leading to a unique geological formation. This combination, known as plastiglomerate, plastitar, plasticrust, or plastistone, occurs when plastic melts onto rock, sediment, and other geologic materials, creating a new type of sedimentary rock. Plastiglomerate, in particular, was discovered in 2006 on Kamilo Beach on the Big Island of Hawai’i by sea captain and oceanographer Charles Moore. It is considered a potential marker of the Anthropocene, an informal epoch proposed by some social scientists, environmentalists, and geologists to represent the significant impact of human activity on the Earth's geology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Plastiglomerate is a rock made of a mixture of sedimentary grains, and other natural debris (e.g. shells, wood) that is held together by plastic. |
| Formation | Plastic waste becomes intertwined with natural rock elements, leading to a unique geological formation. |
| Types | "In situ" plastiglomerate forms where plastic melts and fills in rock cavities. "Clastic" plastiglomerate are smaller solitary pieces that form when larger fused items become fragmented by waves. |
| Impact | Plastic pollution is a worldwide problem affecting every waterway, sea, and ocean in the world. Plastic has become a central component of modern life, finding its way into the Earth's crust and becoming a geological marker. |
| Concerns | Plastiglomerate poses an imminent danger to ocean sustainability, the blue economy, and overall human health due to the potential release of microplastics and nanoplastics into surrounding areas. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic as a geological phenomenon
Plastic is now a geological phenomenon. Humans have produced enough plastic since World War II to coat the Earth entirely in clingfilm, according to an international study. This alarming ability to plaster the planet in plastic confirms that human activities are having a detrimental impact on the planet.
Plastic has become a central component of modern life, and its presence is now evident in the Earth's crust. Geologists from the University of Leicester have noted that plastic has become a geological marker in recent strata. The hardiness of plastic means that it is rarely broken down and is instead incorporated into the Earth's geology. This process challenges traditional geological concepts and requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes geology, chemistry, and environmental science.
The formation of plastic rocks, or "plastistones," is one example of how plastic has become a geological phenomenon. Plastistones are a type of sedimentary rock formed through the fusion of natural rock and plastic waste. They are created when plastic waste becomes intertwined with natural rock elements, such as in environments like campfires or waste burning sites. The melted plastic adheres to existing rocks or sediments and eventually cools and solidifies into a rock-like structure. Plastistones have been found on a global scale, both in coastal and inland regions.
Another example of plastic as a geological phenomenon is "plastiglomerate," a rock made of a mixture of sedimentary grains, natural debris, and plastic. Plastiglomerates form along shorelines where natural sedimentary grains and organic debris are fused together by melted plastic. They can be created during campfire burning or hot weather conditions. Plastiglomerates are denser than particles composed solely of plastic, giving them a greater potential to become buried and preserved in the rock record.
The presence of plastic in the Earth's geology has significant ecological implications. Plastistones, for example, have been shown to alter the microbial communities of their surrounding environment and can generate microplastics and nanoplastics. The potential release of these particles into surrounding areas raises concerns about the long-term ecological impacts of plastic pollution. Additionally, the formation of plastiglomerates may serve as a marker of the Anthropocene epoch, an informal era characterized by widespread human impact on the planet.
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Plastic as a marker of the Anthropocene
The term "Anthropocene" refers to the current geological epoch, which is defined by the significant impact of human activity on Earth and its ecosystems, biodiversity, and processes. It was coined in the 1980s and popularized in 2000 by atmospheric chemist Paul J. Crutzen and diatom researcher Eugene F. Stoermer. The prefix "anthropo" means human, and "cene" means new.
The International Commission on Stratigraphy, the body that oversees the naming of geological epochs, is still debating the evidence for the Anthropocene. They are looking for a "golden spike," or a marker in the fossil record that could differentiate the Holocene from the Anthropocene. This marker must be significant enough to be detectable in rock layers thousands or even millions of years in the future.
Plastic, a product of human innovation, has become a significant ecological concern due to its widespread integration into geological systems and the formation of novel geological materials. Its presence in the environment is now nearly ubiquitous, with plastic pollution affecting every waterway, sea, and ocean globally. Its lightweight and durable nature allows it to be easily transported and dispersed, infiltrating soils and ocean beds.
The rise of plastics since the mid-20th century, coinciding with the post-World War II "Great Acceleration" of population, industry, and resource use, has been proposed as a potential starting point for the Anthropocene. This period is characterized by an unprecedented increase in human impacts on the Earth system, including a rise in carbon dioxide emissions, global warming, ocean acidification, habitat destruction, and widespread natural resource extraction.
Plastics are now considered a key geological indicator of the Anthropocene, with their distinct composition and widespread distribution in both terrestrial and marine environments. They are easily recognizable and do not require sophisticated equipment for detection. In particular, the formation of "plastiglomerates," a new type of rock created when plastic melts onto rock and other natural materials, has been put forward as a potential marker of the Anthropocene. These plastiglomerates, found in locations like Kamilo Beach in Hawaii, are denser than plastic-only particles, giving them a greater potential to be preserved in the rock record.
The integration of plastics into geological contexts and their role in contemporary sedimentary processes challenge traditional geological concepts and classifications. As such, the study of plastics in the environment requires a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing geology, chemistry, and environmental science. While the debate around the declaration of the Anthropocene continues, plastic pollution and its long-term presence in the geologic record stand as a testament to humanity's influence on the planet.
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Plastic's impact on marine biodiversity
In geology, the term "plastic" refers to a new type of rock called plastiglomerate, formed when plastic melts onto rock and other natural materials like sedimentary grains, shells, and wood. It is considered a potential marker of the Anthropocene, an informal epoch of the Quaternary proposed by social scientists and environmentalists to highlight humanity's impact on Earth.
Now, onto the impact of plastics on marine biodiversity:
Plastics have become a significant environmental concern, with their presence disrupting sedimentary dynamics and altering the composition of rocks and soils. Plastic pollution is a global issue, affecting every waterway, sea, and ocean. It poses a severe threat to marine biodiversity, with its effects being felt across various ecosystems and wildlife. Marine organisms, from invertebrates to mammals, are all impacted by plastic pollution.
One of the primary ways plastics impact marine biodiversity is through ingestion. Marine species mistake plastic debris for food, leading to intestinal injuries and even death. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and a quarter of fish at markets in California contained plastic in their guts. Plastic ingestion can also lead to a false sense of fullness, causing starvation. This issue is not limited to marine life, as hundreds of thousands of seabirds also ingest plastic each year, with an estimated 60% of all seabird species having eaten plastic. This number is predicted to increase to 99% by 2050.
Another critical issue is entanglement, where marine animals become trapped in plastic debris, leading to injury and mortality. Endangered species like Hawaiian monk seals and Steller sea lions are affected by this, with plastic debris found in their habitats and nurseries. Plastic pollution also negatively impacts the foraging capacity of certain species, such as the intertidal mollusk Nassarius pullus.
The accumulation of plastic debris on the seafloor can lead to the degradation of benthic ecosystems, reducing species richness and composition. Abandoned fishing gear, for example, has adversely affected coral sites in Oman, decreasing coral biodiversity. Plastic debris on the surface of seawater reduces light penetration and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, negatively impacting primary productivity and trophic relationships in water.
The toxicological effects of plastic ingestion by marine organisms are also a concern, with plastics containing toxic substances that can be released into the environment during their lifecycle, from extraction to disposal. These toxic substances can then be transferred up the food chain, affecting larger fish, marine mammals, and even human seafood eaters.
The presence of plastics in the marine environment also has socio-economic impacts, affecting commercial fishery, tourism, shipping, and human health. The negative consequences of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems are estimated to cost $13 billion annually.
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Plastic's role in contemporary sedimentary processes
Plastic is a major ecological concern, with plastic pollution affecting every waterway, sea, and ocean in the world. Plastic debris is lightweight and durable, allowing it to travel long distances and persist in the environment for hundreds to thousands of years. The accumulation of plastic in the environment, particularly in sedimentary environments, has led to its integration into geological systems and the formation of novel geological materials.
Plastics have been shown to disrupt sedimentary dynamics and alter the composition of rocks and soils. For example, when plastic melts onto rock and other natural materials, it can form a new type of rock called plastiglomerate. Plastiglomerates are created when plastic fills in rock cavities or when larger fused plastic items become fragmented by waves. They are denser than particles composed solely of plastic, giving them a greater potential to become buried and preserved in the rock record.
Plastics also pose a threat to marine biodiversity by altering erosion, transport, and deposition patterns. Microplastics, in particular, have been found to accumulate in marine sediments and bottom water, with high concentrations found in the water-sediment interface and the top layers of sediments. The widespread integration of plastics into sedimentary environments challenges traditional geological concepts and classifications, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches that meld geology, chemistry, and environmental science.
The presence of plastics in sedimentary processes and the formation of novel geological materials, such as plastiglomerate, provide a unique perspective on human environmental impacts. These materials may serve as a geological marker of humanity's impact on Earth, offering future generations of scientists a record of the planet's geological history and the impact of human pollution. However, as Dr. Patricia Corcoran stated, "that's not a legacy we really want."
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Plastic's transformation into plastistone
The term "plastic" in geology refers to a new type of rock created when plastic melts onto rock and other natural materials. This new type of rock is called plastiglomerate, and it may serve as a geological marker of humanity's impact on Earth. Plastiglomerate is denser than particles that are solely composed of plastic, giving them greater potential to become buried and preserved in the rock record.
Plastics transformation into plastistone:
Plastics have become a significant part of the Earth's geological systems, with their presence challenging traditional geological concepts. One of the emerging types of plastic-rock complexes is plastistone, a term first coined in 2022 by Santos et al. Plastistone is a type of sedimentary rock that is part plastic and part rock. It is formed when plastic and clast from pre-existing rock are lithified together, creating a plastic-rock fusion. This process can occur through various means, including campfire or plastic waste burning, wave action, evaporation, or chemical bonding.
Plastistones have been found on a global scale, in both coastal and inland regions across five continents and 11 countries. The polymer types most frequently found in plastistones are polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP). These polymers originate mainly from domestic waste, such as packaging and containers, or maritime activities.
The formation of plastistone highlights the impact of human activities on the Earth's geology and the need for interdisciplinary approaches that integrate geology, chemistry, and environmental sciences. It also underscores the long-lasting presence of plastic polymers in terrestrial and marine environments, spanning from decades to centuries.
Plastistone, like plastiglomerate, serves as a marker of the Anthropocene, an informal epoch proposed to mark the significant influence of human activities on the Earth's geology and environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic in geology refers to the presence of plastic waste in natural rock formations. Plastic waste can become intertwined with natural rock elements, leading to a unique geological formation.
A plastiglomerate is a rock made of a mixture of sedimentary grains, natural debris (e.g. shells, wood), and plastic. They are often formed along shorelines where natural sedimentary grains and organic debris are fused together by melted plastic.
Plastic becomes part of the Earth's geology through a process called lithification, which turns loose sediment into solid rock. Plastic waste can be melted by high temperatures in campfires or waste burning sites and then adheres to existing rocks or sediments, eventually cooling and solidifying into a rock-like structure.
