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A mini-review on plasticrusts: occurrence, current trends, potential threats, and recommendations for coastal sustainability

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Abstract

Plasticrusts manifest as a coating on intertidal rocks due to environmental exposure. They refer to crushed plastic debris that blankets rocks found along intertidal shorelines. This study significantly contributes to a better understanding of the occurrence of these novel plastic formations, shedding light on their potential pathways of formation during the Anthropocene era. The research provides comprehensive insights into the composition, origins, challenges, and effective management strategies for removing coastal plastic litter. The findings of this investigation offer valuable evidence regarding the formation and impact of these recently discovered plastic items in coastal regions, prompting discussions about their formation processes and their effects on the marine ecosystem. Recognizing that these newly emerged plastic litter pose a considerable threat to the marine environment is crucial. With their emergence, we face an environmental challenge, especially concerning the health of coastal ecosystems. Plasticrusts, when degraded, can release microplastics (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) into the surrounding environment. These micro- and nano-sized plastic particles pose significant ecological risks as they persist in ecosystems, potentially harming wildlife and entering the food chain, causing widespread environmental contamination. Significantly, it outlines strategies to minimize the impact of this emerging plastic debris and its source.

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Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article. Furthermore, the data supporting this study’s findings are available on request from the corresponding author, [Malafaia G.].

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Funding

Nong Lam University (Vietnam), National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (Taiwan), and Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University (RGP. 2/430/44).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Nong Lam University of Ho Chi Minh City, Hamlet 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam

    Minh-Ky Nguyen

  2. Ph.D. Program in Maritime Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan

    Minh-Ky Nguyen & Chitsan Lin

  3. Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali, 3814, Bangladesh

    Md. Refat Jahan Rakib

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

    Hoang-Lam Nguyen

  5. Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan

    Chitsan Lin

  6. Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

    Guilherme Malafaia

  7. Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil

    Guilherme Malafaia

  8. Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil

    Guilherme Malafaia

  9. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 62529, Saudi Arabia

    Abubakr M. Idris

  10. Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, 62529, Saudi Arabia

    Abubakr M. Idris

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  1. Minh-Ky Nguyen
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  2. Md. Refat Jahan Rakib
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  3. Hoang-Lam Nguyen
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  4. Chitsan Lin
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  5. Guilherme Malafaia
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  6. Abubakr M. Idris
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Contributions

Minh-Ky Nguyen: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Visualization, Writing – original draft – review & editing; Md. Refat Jahan Rakib: Methodology, Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing; Hoang-Lam Nguyen: Data curation, Investigation, Writing – review & editing; Chitsan Lin: Conceptualization, Supervision, Investigation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing; Guilherme Malafaia: Data curation, Supervision, Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing; Abubakr M. Idris: Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing. All authors contributed to the manuscript's discussion, reviews, and approval for publication. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Md. Refat Jahan Rakib or Guilherme Malafaia.

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Nguyen, MK., Rakib, M.R.J., Nguyen, HL. et al. A mini-review on plasticrusts: occurrence, current trends, potential threats, and recommendations for coastal sustainability. Environ Monit Assess 196, 137 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12318-6

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