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How Does Plastic Litter Accumulate in Submarine Canyons?
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Researchers used numerical simulations of turbidity currents in a South China Sea submarine canyon to explain observed plastic litter accumulation patterns, finding that canyon floor morphology—specifically scour features that reduce shear velocity—controls where both sediment and plastic debris are deposited by underwater flows.
Abstract Manned submersible dives in the northwest South China Sea encountered substantial amounts of plastic litter accumulated at the base of scours along the floor of a submarine canyon, which may associate with the depositional behaviors of turbidity currents. In this study, we conduct numerical simulations using field‐scale bathymetry to investigate the relationship between the canyon floor morphology, flow processes, and the locations and sizes of the plastic litter piles. The consistent deposition pattern caused by the numerical turbidity currents with different input parameters indicate that morphology of the canyon may exert a dominant influence on turbidite deposition. This is attributed to a significant reduction in shear velocity as simulated turbidity currents flowing through the scours on the canyon floor. Spatial correspondence between deposits of turbidity currents and plastic litter accumulation suggests that suspended sediments and plastic may undergo simultaneous dynamic processes during the transportation of turbidity currents.
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Supplemental Material: Turbidity currents regulate the transport and settling of microplastics in a deep-sea submarine canyon
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This study provides supplemental materials and methods for research examining how turbidity currents regulate the transport and settling of microplastics in a deep-sea submarine canyon.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.