Pyroplastics: A new potential threat to coastal environments in the Anthropocene

Pyroplastics are thermally altered plastic debris formed through processes such as melting, deformation, charring, or partial combustion, commonly associated with fires in coastal environments. In recent years, pyroplastic have been found on a global scale, both in marine sandy and pebble shore regions. In this article, we examine the global occurrence and distinctive characteristics of pyroplastics, together with their potential environmental fate and associated impacts. The quantity of pyroplastics that are discovered on coastal beaches (n = 11, 69%) is almost twice as high as the amount found on island beaches (n = 5, 31). Pyroplastic may fragment into secondary microplastic and contain potentially hazardous metals. The polymer types most frequently found in pyroplastic are polypropylene (n = 10, 26%), and polyethylene (n = 9, 23%). The heavy metals which are mostly occurred together within the pyroplastic are lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr). Most widely used spectrometer for the pyroplastic polymer analysis is Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) (n = 14, 78%). This review also highlights a governance gap, as current plastic pollution frameworks and beach monitoring systems rarely recognize pyroplastics and related plastic rock types as distinct categories requiring targeted waste management, monitoring, and policy responses. This study comprehensively presents the pyroplastic geological and environmental research implications with quantitative analysis of substantial published data, offering fundamental insights for future research planning.