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The role of bioturbation in microplastic burial in marine sediments
Summary
This study found that burrowing marine worms significantly affect microplastic redistribution in sediments, with one polychaete species transporting larger plastic particles to depths of 20 cm through feeding activity — demonstrating that bioturbation plays an important role in burying microplastics in the seafloor.
In this study, the influence of activities carried out by benthic invertebrates on microplastic redistribution is investigated. Sediment reworking activity of two marine polychaetes (H. diversicolor; A.marina) representing different bioturbation types resulted in considerable differences in microplastic transport. Size-selective feeding activity of A. marina caused a long-term retention of larger microplastic particles in considerable sediment depths down to 20 cm, emphasizing the ability of certain bioturbation types to facilitate deep or fast particle transport.