Rethinking geological concepts in the age of plastic pollution.

ABSTRACT

This paper attempts to reevaluate traditional geological classifications from sedimentology to stratigraphy as well as the concept of the Holocene/Anthropocene epochs, characterized by the widespread integration of plastics into sedimentary environments. This paper presents a set of novel insights into the interactions between synthetic materials and natural geological processes. We illustrate how plastics not only disrupt sedimentary dynamics and alter the composition of rocks and soils, creating new forms of pollution and also pose escalated threats to marine biodiversity through altered erosion, transport, and deposition patterns. We highlight the emerging role of plastics as distinctive stratigraphic markers, providing a different perspective on human environmental impacts. This analysis challenges the traditional perception of rocks as solely natural, inorganic formations and highlights the critical need for interdisciplinary approaches that meld geology, chemistry, and environmental science. The document calls for intensified research to develop effective strategies for managing these impacts and promotes innovative conservation techniques that address both the symptoms and sources of plastic pollution.