Plastic-rock hybrids found on the Andaman Islands – Mongabay

Rocks called "plastiglomerates" - because they are made of a mixture of sedimentary granules and other debris held together by plastic, mainly fishing nets - have been found in Brazil's volcanic Trindade Island. Researchers view this as evidence of humans' growing influence over the earth's geological cycles (screenshot taken from Global News video "Mutated "plastic rocks" discovered on remote Brazilian island," March 23, 2023, via Youtube).

A study found the formation of plastic-rock hybrids in the intertidal zone of remote beaches of Aves Island in the Andaman archipelago. This is a first record of these hybrid rocks, known as plastiglomerates, from India.
Samples from the island that were analysed contained polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Incineration of plastic litter could have led to their formation.
The impact of plastiglomerates on marine ecosystems is yet to be understood as research on plastiglomerates is an emerging field…

Study says buyout of threatened Outer Banks homes would be cheaper than beach nourishment – Star News Online

South breach area on NC 12 above Rodanthe (courtesy of NCDOT)NCDOTcommunications CC BY 2.0 via

Along coastal North Carolina, engineering answers to threats from Mother Nature is a time-honored tradition to dealing with eroding beaches and threats from wandering inlets. But pumping sand isn’t cheap….Faced with a future of rising seas and stronger storms intensified by climate change, state and local officials are scrambling to keep up.(And) one option occupies a relatively rare seat at the table for discussion by local officials and residents: moving oceanfront structures out of harms way…