We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Comparison of Microplastic abundance in varying depths of deep-sea sediments, Bay of Bengal
Summary
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in deep-sea sediment samples from the Bay of Bengal at depths of 225 to 1,070 meters, finding the highest concentrations at intermediate depths. The findings add to evidence that microplastics have penetrated into deep-sea environments far from the surface.
Globally, there is escalating evidence on the pervasion of microplastics (MPs) in marine ecosystems. However, knowledge of its distribution in outlying environments such as the deep sea is scarce. With this objective, sediment samples from the Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin, Bay of Bengal, were collected at varying depths of 225m, 230m, and 1070m, respectively. The highest concentration of microplastics was recorded at 230m (12 MPs/ 50 g DW) followed by 1070m (10 MPs/ 50 g DW) and 225m (2 MPs/ 50 g DW) respectively. MPs were categorized based on their shape, size, and colour. In shape distribution, filaments contributed about 67%, trailed by fragments (25%) and films (8%), respectively. Black (21%) was the dominant colour, followed by transparent (17%). More than half of the MPs (52%) lies within the 1-1000 µm size range. The surface morphology of the MPs was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The polymer composition of the suspected MPs was characterized using Raman Spectroscopy.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments
Researchers analyzed deep-sea sediment cores and found microplastics present at depth, providing early evidence that deep-sea sediments globally accumulate microplastic pollution far from coastlines and at the seafloor.
Fate of microplastics in deep-sea sediments and its influencing factors: Evidence from the Eastern Indian Ocean
Surface sediments from 26 sites in the deep basin of the Eastern Indian Ocean were analyzed for microplastics, finding concentrations ranging widely and influenced by water depth, distance from land, and ocean current patterns. The study extends deep-sea microplastic monitoring to the Indian Ocean and identifies oceanographic transport as a key control on plastic distribution.
Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments and organisms of the Western Pacific Ocean
Researchers collected deep-sea sediment and organism samples from multiple sites in the western Pacific Ocean and found microplastics at all locations sampled, with depth, distance from land, and current patterns influencing accumulation, confirming the western Pacific deep sea as a significant microplastic sink.
Unveiling the deep-sea microplastic Odyssey: Characteristics, distribution, and ecological implications in Pacific Ocean sediments
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in deep-sea sediments from the Pacific Ocean at depths reaching nearly 7,000 meters. They found microplastics at every sampling site, predominantly polyester and rayon fibers, with the highest concentrations in the Western Pacific. The study highlights that microplastic pollution has reached some of the most remote deep-sea environments on Earth, raising concerns about its ecological impact.
Prevalence of small high-density microplastics in the continental shelf and deep sea waters of East Asia
Researchers collected water samples at multiple depth layers across the continental shelf and deep sea of East Asia and found that small, high-density microplastics were more abundant in deeper waters, suggesting vertical sinking pathways concentrate certain particle types in the deep ocean.