Potential environmental impacts of marine renewable energy due to the release of microplastic particles from synthetic mooring cables

Abstract

The large-scale exploitation of offshore renewable energy in floating platforms will increase the use of synthetic mooring cables to secure them to the sea-bottom, because of the need to employ low-cost and lightweight materials to ensure economic viability. The degradation of these cables will release microplastic particles to the ocean, causing environmental impacts that have so far received little attention. Here, we try to raise awareness to this potential problem, by explaining the fundamental differences between offshore renewable energy structures and traditional ones, such as oil platforms, in what concerns their economics and layout at sea, listing the most relevant materials for mooring cables, and discussing potential problems and solutions. These impacts have not yet materialised because offshore renewable energy technology is only now reaching commercial viability, but are likely to become an issue in the future.