Microplastics in Sedimentary Systems - What We Do and Don't Know About This Type of Sediment Particle

Explore the emerging field of microplastics as a new type of sediment particle in this comprehensive lecture. Delve into the global issue of plastic pollution, its impact on ecosystems and human health, and the challenges it poses for sedimentology. Learn about the transport, dispersal, and fate of microplastics in various environments, including seafloor sediments. Examine the unique properties of microplastics, their complex shapes and low densities, and how they differ from natural sediments in terms of transport and sedimentation behavior. Gain insights into experimental work on microplastic dynamics, including settling, transport, re-suspension, and deposition in turbidity currents. Discover the opportunities this new sediment type presents for better understanding sedimentary systems and the challenges it poses for the field of sedimentology.

Intro
Microplastics in sedimentary systems
A few numbers on plastic waste
What is the problem?
Why does plastic waste get into the environment?
Where does the plastic go?
Plastic in the oceans
Where is the 'missing' ocean plastic?
What is plastic for a new type of sediment?
What do we know about the dynamics of microplastics as a sediment?
Setting of microplastics, Experimental work
Transport and re-suspension of microplastics
Deposition of microplastics (turbidity currents)
The dynamic properties of microplastics