Article
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Tier 2
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Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence.
Environmental Sources
Marine & Wildlife
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Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation
Science2020
754 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 60
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
Florian Pohl,
Florian Pohl,
Ian Kane,
Michael Clare,
Ian Kane,
Florian Pohl,
Florian Pohl,
Florian Pohl,
Florian Pohl,
Elda Miramontes,
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
Florian Pohl,
Ian Kane,
Florian Pohl,
Michael Clare,
Florian Pohl,
Michael Clare,
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
Michael Clare,
Ian Kane,
Michael Clare,
Ian Kane,
Michael Clare,
Ian Kane,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
James Rothwell,
Elda Miramontes,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Elda Miramontes,
Florian Pohl,
Ian Kane,
Elda Miramontes,
Ian Kane,
Florian Pohl,
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
James Rothwell,
Ian Kane,
James Rothwell,
James Rothwell,
James Rothwell,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Roy A. Wogelius,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Roy A. Wogelius,
Michael Clare,
Ian Kane,
Elda Miramontes,
James Rothwell,
Florian Pohl,
Michael Clare,
Florian Pohl,
Florian Pohl,
Florian Pohl,
Elda Miramontes,
James Rothwell,
Roy A. Wogelius,
Roy A. Wogelius,
Pierre Garreau
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
Pierre Garreau
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
Elda Miramontes,
Ian Kane,
Florian Pohl,
Florian Pohl,
Ian Kane,
Florian Pohl,
Ian Kane,
Pierre Garreau
Florian Pohl,
Ian Kane,
Ian Kane,
Michael Clare,
Elda Miramontes,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Michael Clare,
Florian Pohl,
Florian Pohl,
Pierre Garreau
Summary
Researchers discovered that deep-sea ocean currents, not just vertical settling from the surface, play a major role in concentrating microplastics on the seafloor, creating pollution hotspots with the highest concentrations ever recorded in any seafloor setting. These thermohaline-driven bottom currents sort and accumulate microplastics in the same areas where they deliver oxygen and nutrients to deep-sea life. The findings suggest that the most biologically rich areas of the deep ocean floor are likely also the most contaminated with microplastics.
Study Type
Environmental
Although microplastics are known to pervade the global seafloor, the processes that control their dispersal and concentration in the deep sea remain largely unknown. Here, we show that thermohaline-driven currents, which build extensive seafloor sediment accumulations, can control the distribution of microplastics and create hotspots with the highest concentrations reported for any seafloor setting (190 pieces per 50 grams). Previous studies propose that microplastics are transported to the seafloor by vertical settling from surface accumulations; here, we demonstrate that the spatial distribution and ultimate fate of microplastics are strongly controlled by near-bed thermohaline currents (bottom currents). These currents are known to supply oxygen and nutrients to deep-sea benthos, suggesting that deep-sea biodiversity hotspots are also likely to be microplastic hotspots.