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Transport and Fluxes of Microplastics to Deep-Sea Sediments via Turbidity Currents through the Congo Canyon
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Researchers directly measured microplastics transported by turbidity currents through the Congo Canyon using real-time monitoring instrumentation, providing the first empirical dataset on how these submarine sediment flows — among the longest and most powerful on Earth — deliver terrestrial microplastics to deep-sea sediments.
Plastic pollution is a growing global concern, with significant implications for marine ecosystems. While microplastics (1,000 km. These are the longest sediment flows yet measured in action on Earth, and they eroded and carried a mass of terrestrial organic carbon similar to that buried each year in the global oceans. However, despite their significance in natural particle transport, it remains unclear how efficiently they carry anthropogenic particles, such as microplastics, to the deep sea.This study presents the first dataset that directly measures microplastics transported by turbidity currents. A sediment trap moored 156 km offshore in the Congo Canyon, at a water depth of 2,172 m, captured sediments from eight (0.5-1 m/s) turbidity current events occurring between September and December 2019. Microplastics were extracted and analyzed for their number, size, shape, and polymer composition using Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) imaging. Microplastic flux estimates were calculated to quantify the transport capability of these flows.The results demonstrate that turbidity currents are highly efficient in transporting microplastics, with concentrations reaching up to 13,266 particles per kg of sediment. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and rubber were the most abundant polymer types, likely due to their higher density and resistance to degradation. Variability in microplastic abundance across different flow events appears to be influenced by differences in sediment sources and flow dynamics. Annual fluxes of microplastics transported through the Congo Canyon are estimated to be approximately 50,000 kg, underscoring the significant role of turbidity currents in redistributing microplastics on the deep seafloor. These microplastics may accumulate in canyon floors and distal lobes, forming potential sinks.This research provides critical insights into the mechanisms governing the deep-sea transport of microplastics and highlights the importance of submarine canyons in global plastic pollution dynamics.
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