Are We Speaking the Same Language? Recommendations for a Definition and Categorization Framework for Plastic Debris

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b05297
• Publication Date: 2019-01-04T20:44:31Z
• Authors: Nanna B. Hartmann; Thorsten Hüffer; Richard C. Thompson; Martin Hassellöv; Anja Verschoor; Anders E. Daugaard; Sinja Rist; Therese Karlsson; Nicole Brennholt; Matthew Cole; Maria P. Herrling; Maren C. Hess; Natalia P. Ivleva; Amy L. Lusher; Martin Wagner
• Keywords: Compromise

The accumulation of plastic litter in natural environments is a global issue. Concerns over potential negative impacts on the economy, wildlife, and human health provide strong incentives for improving sustainable use plastics. Despite many voices raised issue, we lack consensus how to define categorize debris. This evident microplastics, where inconsistent size classes are used materials be included under debate. While this inherent an emerging research field, ambiguous terminology results confusion miscommunication that may compromise progress mitigation measures. Therefore, need explicit what exactly consider Thus, critically discuss advantages disadvantages unified terminology, propose definition categorization framework, highlight areas uncertainty. Going beyond classes, our framework includes physicochemical properties (polymer composition, solid state, solubility) as defining criteria size, shape, color, origin classifiers categorization. Acknowledging rapid evolution knowledge pollution, will promote building within scientific regulatory community based foundation.