5. Conclusion

Contamination by plastics and microplastics has been the subject of numerous studies in the marine environment over the last ten years. However, knowledge of the solid environment is more limited. It has been established that a large proportion of this waste comes from industrial and agricultural activities on land, and reaches the seas and oceans via watersheds. The agricultural practices most at risk are the spreading of organic waste products contaminated with plastics and the use of plastics, particularly mulching film. In the environment, plastics undergo ageing processes under the effect of abiotic and biotic phenomena. These degrade the material, leading to the formation of microplastics, the release of molecules and interactions with environmental pollutants. The impact of the accumulation of plastic waste on soils, biota and human health is poorly understood, and depends on various...