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The consequence that is plastiglomerate

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment volume 1, pages 6–7 (2020)Cite this article

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First documented in 2014, plastiglomerate continues to proliferate across the Earth’s surface. While these materials represent long-lasting symbols of anthropogenic impacts on the environment, they also highlight the need to address the global plastic crisis.

Although mis-popularized as a new rock type, plastiglomerate is, by definition, not a rock; rocks are formed naturally, whereas plastiglomerate is composed of anthropogenic products (plastic) shaped by anthropogenic processes or actions (burning). Moreover, compared with natural sedimentary clasts, plastiglomerate is able to better withstand breakage due to a hardened plastic matrix. However, natural rocks and plastiglomerate may possess similar textural characteristics, for example, rounding as a result of sedimentary transport, the presence of vesicles in the plastic matrix, and/or plastic amygdules (infilling of vesicles with once molten plastic; Fig. 1b,c).

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Fig. 1: Samples of Kamilo Beach plastiglomerate, exhibiting natural and human-made materials held together in a plastic matrix.

References

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

    Patricia L. Corcoran

  2. Department of Studio Arts, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Kelly Jazvac

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  1. Patricia L. Corcoran
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  2. Kelly Jazvac
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Correspondence to Patricia L. Corcoran.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Corcoran, P.L., Jazvac, K. The consequence that is plastiglomerate. Nat Rev Earth Environ 1, 6–7 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-019-0010-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-019-0010-9

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