Micro(nano)plastics: An un-ignorable carbon source?

Abstract

Micro(nano)plastics, new emerging contaminants, are widely found in the environment due to continuous release. Massive and widespread presence of micro(nano)plastics may have a significant impact on the calculation of total organic carbon, and potentially result in misunderstanding of the overall environmental pollution level. Previous studies typically paid attention to the environmental distribution, source, analysis methods and technologies, as well as the environmental and ecological effects of micro(nano)plastics. However, little was aware of the total organic carbon consequences. There are few evidences for the contribution of micro(nano)plastics to total organic carbon. Accordingly, more efforts need to be taken to explore the contribution of micro(nano)plastics to total organic carbon.