About this Research Topic
In the Mediterranean Sea, a large amount of plastic as well as microplastic and nanoplastic debris has been found. It is necessary to study the extent and the impact of this phenomenon, if there are differences both in the size and in the chemical composition of the microplastics found in the different areas of the Mediterranean, how this type of pollution affects the marine environment, what are the possible effects on marine flora and fauna, how plastics travel through the marine food web, and finally, what possible repercussions exist for humans. At the moment it is known that microplastics act as carriers for several chemicals, microorganisms and heavy metals dangerous for animal and human health so is important to know what are the most affected Mediterranean areas, what are the main effects related to the presence of microplastics, which bacteria adhere to microplastics, if antibiotics can be absorbed on microplastics and what are the most frequently found contaminants on microplastics in the Mediterranean.
The scope of this special issue is to understand the fate, behavior and toxicity of microplastics, including nanoplastics, in the Mediterranean Sea. In this special issue, articles, reviews, and short communications covering the scope of the Topic are welcome.
Keywords: microplastics, environment, aquatic pollution, marine fauna, Mediterranean Sea
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.