Effects of permafrost degradation on global microplastic cycling under climate change

Abstract Microplastic (MP) pollution has been regarded as a worldwide environmental problem, even in the Arctic areas. Currently, permafrost may be an important potential sink of airborne MPs. However, under climate change, permafrost will severely degrade and thaw in the future, thus affecting the global MP cycling. In this discussion, the potential effects of permafrost degradation on MP cycling under climate change are elaborated. These effects have not been paid attention in MP-related research.