Special Collection – Open submissions for: Monitoring and Management of Aquatic Plastic Pollution: Detection, Remediation and Source Control

Participating journal: Microplastics and Nanoplastics (Open Access, IF: 8.4) [ https://link.springer.com/journal/43591]

Submit your work here until 31 December 2026 https://link.springer.com/collections/idhaaeegcj

Plastic pollution represents a global challenge impacting fresh- and transitional waters, and coastal and marine ecosystems. Rivers may act as primary conduits transporting land-based litter to the ocean, highlighting the need for integrated, “source-to-sea” management solutions. This special collection aims to gather advanced and transdisciplinary research that encompasses every aspect of plastic pollution management, from initial surveying and characterization, to the implementation and evaluation of sustainable remediation solutions and upstream prevention social actions and policies. We invite submissions that provide empirical data, validated models, and comprehensive policy evaluations relevant to all plastics, spanning the nano- to macro- size range, and their associated risks.

The content of this collection is divided into three pillars:

1. Detection, Transport, and Environmental Fate. This pillar focuses on quantifying the problem and understanding natural processes, welcoming research on methods, monitoring, and modelling plastic across all aquatic environments, including also riverbanks and coastal areas. It will include subjects related to:
   • Novel monitoring, sampling and analytical methods for the characterization and quantification of nano-, micro-, and macroplastics in water, sediment, and biota.
   • Monitoring and modelling of plastic transport dynamics and accumulation in aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine environments, and related ecosystems.
   • Environmental fate of nano, micro, and macroplastics, including their degradation and long-term retention, and potential environmental impact.
2. Remediation and Collection. This pillar focuses on the science, technology and actions used to remove plastics and mitigate their negative effects, considering aspects such as:
   • Novel devices, systems and actions to collect plastic from the environment
   • Scientific evaluation of the efficiency, sustainability, and ecological risk of devices and systems for collecting plastic and litter from transitional waterways and rivers, and coast and ocean.
   • Assessing the reduction of risks in the environment achieved through active cleanup efforts and remediation of polluted areas.
   • Life cycle and economical assessments for sustainable solutions.
3. Source Control and Prevention. This pillar focuses on stopping plastic from entering the environment by addressing materials, policy, and waste management. It welcomes research on:
   • Assessing the social and policy context for the development and implementation of technological solutions for effective plastic pollution mitigation
   • Evaluating the effectiveness of environmental economics and policy (e.g., Extended Producer Responsibility, bans) in reducing plastic mismanagement at the source and its leakage into aquatic ecosystems, and the environment, in general.
   • Scientific assessment of plastics waste management practices and innovations in infrastructure (e.g., WWTP systems, stormwater management) that achieve prevention of loss and leakage into aquatic environments.
   • Advances on the development, safety, and environmental fate of sustainable material alternatives to conventional polymers, such as new biodegradable materials.
   • Life cycle and economical assessments for sustainable solutions.

Submission Information:

Authors should select the appropriate Collection title “Monitoring and Management of Aquatic Plastic Pollution: Detection, Remediation and Source Control” under the “Details” tab during the submission stage.