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Emerging and legacy pollutants in abyssal sediments of the world’s largest enclosed waterbody

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Peygham Ghaffari, Ali Mehdinia, Madeline Jefroy, Ali Mehdinia, Bert van Bavel E. V. Yakushev, E. V. Yakushev, Madeline Jefroy, Ali Mehdinia, Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel E. V. Yakushev, E. V. Yakushev, Ali Mehdinia, Ali Mehdinia, Ali Mehdinia, Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel Ali Mehdinia, Bert van Bavel Peygham Ghaffari, Peygham Ghaffari, Ali Mehdinia, Ali Mehdinia, Mehrshad Taheri, Bert van Bavel Reza Rahnama, Bert van Bavel Ali Mehdinia, Reza Rahnama, Bert van Bavel Ali Mehdinia, Reza Rahnama, Reza Rahnama, Bert van Bavel Ali Mehdinia, Bert van Bavel Reza Rahnama, Reza Rahnama, Reza Rahnama, Reza Rahnama, Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel Peygham Ghaffari, Reza Rahnama, Bert van Bavel Madeline Jefroy, Bert van Bavel E. V. Yakushev, Reza Rahnama, Madeline Jefroy, E. V. Yakushev, Bert van Bavel Ali Mehdinia, Reza Rahnama, Reza Rahnama, E. V. Yakushev, Bert van Bavel Davoud Jahedi Vaighan, Mehrshad Taheri, E. V. Yakushev, Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel E. V. Yakushev, E. V. Yakushev, Bert van Bavel E. V. Yakushev, Reza Rahnama, Mehrshad Taheri, E. V. Yakushev, Reza Rahnama, Bert van Bavel Ali Hamzehpoor, Ali Hamzehpoor, E. V. Yakushev, P. Habibi, P. Habibi, E. V. Yakushev, Muna Hosseindoost, Muna Hosseindoost, E. V. Yakushev, Xie Haichao, Hamid Lahijani, Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel Bert van Bavel

Summary

Sediment samples from the abyssal zones of the western Pacific revealed both legacy pollutants (PCBs, DDT) and microplastics at significant depths, showing that even the most remote deep-sea environments are contaminated by human-made chemicals. The co-occurrence suggests microplastics may serve as carriers transporting persistent organic pollutants to the deep ocean.

Polymers

PE PET

Study Type Environmental

This study provides the first integrated assessment of emerging (microplastics, MPs) and legacy (organochlorine pesticides, OCPs; polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs) contaminants in abyssal sediments (>700 m) of the southern Caspian Sea. Vertically resolved cores (0-6 cm) were analyzed to determine compound-specific distributions and persistence. MPs were found only in the surface layer (0-2 cm) at 16 items kg dw, composed exclusively of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, indicating restricted downward transport. OCPs such as 4,4-DDT and Dieldrin declined sharply with depth, whereas transformation products (4,4-DDE) and recalcitrant compounds persisted. PCBs were confined to surface sediments, while total PAHs (∑PAHs) increased with depth (49-68 ng g), reflecting stronger contributions from natural petrogenic sources associated with pre-industrial conditions. These results show that the southern Caspian abyss functions as a long-term sink for both emerging and legacy contaminants, governed by hydrographic isolation, weak bottom circulation, and sediment focusing. The co-occurrence of MPs and persistent hydrocarbons underscores the role of enclosed basins in global contaminant storage and long-term pollutant fate.

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