We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
From mid to high latitudes: marine litter research at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
AI summary Read the abstract
This presentation from the Alfred Wegener Institute reported that marine litter quantities on deep-sea transects doubled between 2002 and 2010, with about 60% of litter being plastics and 60% associated with fauna, suggesting rising ship traffic and Atlantic water mass transport as contributing sources. The long-term deep-sea litter data from AWI provide a rare historical record of how deep-sea plastic contamination has intensified over time.
• Litter quantities doubled between 2002 and 2010 → densities > Lisboa Canyon • ~60% of the litter was plastics • >60% of the litter was associated with fauna • Source: rising ship traffic in this remote region as a result of reduced sea ice cover and/or import of litter with Atlantic water masses? (responsible: melanie.bergmann@awi.de) Task Force „Students Against Marine Pollution: Litter Monitoring on the Beaches of Sylt“
More Papers Like This
Marine litter on deep Arctic seafloor continues to increase and spreads to the North at the HAUSGARTEN observatory
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed marine litter on deep Arctic seafloors and found that litter continues to increase and is now spreading to previously uncontaminated northern areas, suggesting ongoing accumulation in one of Earth's most remote environments.
Increase of marine litter at two stations of the Arctic deep-sea observatory HAUSGARTEN
AI summary Read the abstract
Image analysis of deep-sea camera surveys at two stations of the HAUSGARTEN Arctic deep-sea observatory found marine litter densities between 660 and 6,566 items per square kilometer, with no statistically significant difference between stations. The study contributes evidence that marine litter reaches and accumulates in remote Arctic deep-sea environments.
Marine Litter Distribution and Density in European Seas, from the Shelves to Deep Basins
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers mapped marine litter distribution and density across European seas — from shallow shelves to deep basins — finding litter present at all depths and in all regions surveyed, with deep-sea areas accumulating significant loads.
Deep-sea litter: a comparison of seamounts, banks and a ridge in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans reveals both environmental and anthropogenic factors impact accumulation and composition
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared deep-sea litter accumulation on seamounts, banks, and a ridge across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, finding that both environmental factors — such as current patterns and depth — and anthropogenic factors — including proximity to shipping lanes and fishing activity — influenced litter abundance and composition. Plastic items dominated at all sites, with fishing-related debris particularly prominent on seamounts.
First long-term evidence of microplastic pollution in the deep subtropical Northeast Atlantic
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastic particles in all 110 sediment trap samples collected over a 12-year period from 2,000-meter depths in the Northeast Atlantic, establishing the deep ocean as a long-term sink for microplastics with fluxes increasing over time.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.