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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Vertical Flux of Microplastics in the Deep Subtropical Pacific Ocean: Moored Sediment-Trap Observations within the Kuroshio Extension Recirculation Gyre
ClearDistribution of microplastics in bathyal- to hadal-depth sediments and transport process along the deep-sea canyon and the Kuroshio Extension in the Northwest Pacific
Researchers mapped microplastic distribution from shallow to ultra-deep ocean sediments in the Northwest Pacific, including Sagami Bay and areas beneath the Kuroshio Extension current. The study found the highest microplastic concentrations in abyssal stations and suggests two distinct transport pathways: land-sourced microplastics move to hadal depths via turbidity currents along submarine canyons, while ocean-surface microplastics sink directly to the abyssal plains below.
First long-term evidence of microplastic pollution in the deep subtropical Northeast Atlantic
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.
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.
Settling and along-isopycnal subduction of small microplastics into intermediate layers over the North Pacific Ocean
Researchers investigated the vertical distribution of small microplastics (10-300 micrometers) from the sea surface to 1,000 m depth in the North Pacific Ocean using seawater sampling and hydrographic surveys, finding average concentrations of 6,910 particles per cubic meter and identifying along-isopycnal subduction as a key mechanism transporting small microplastics into intermediate water layers.
Plastics from Surface to Seabed: Vertical Distribution of (Micro)plastic Particles in the North Pacific Ocean
Researchers investigated the vertical distribution of microplastics across the water column and deep-sea sediments (>5 km) in the North Pacific Ocean, finding concentrations of 8-2600 items/m3 in the water column and 1100-3200 items/kg in sediments, with distinct patterns across the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, Papahanaumokuakea Monument, and a less-polluted open ocean site.
Plastics from Surfaceto Seabed: Vertical Distributionof (Micro)plastic Particles in the North Pacific Ocean
Researchers investigated the vertical distribution of microplastics from surface waters to deep-sea sediments (>5 km) in the North Pacific Ocean, documenting concentrations of 8-2600 items/m3 in the water column and 1100-3200 items/kg in sediments across the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, Papahanaumokuakea Monument, and a less-polluted reference site.
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.
Vertical flux of microplastic, a case study in the Southern Ocean, South Georgia
Researchers deployed floating sediment traps in the Southern Ocean near South Georgia to measure the vertical flux of microplastics, finding that sinking of microplastics represents a significant and understudied pathway for removing plastic from the ocean surface into deep water.
Sinking microplastics at a deep-sea seamount in the North Atlantic: a year-long flux study
Sinking microplastics were collected from sediment traps deployed at a deep-sea seamount in the North Atlantic, providing direct evidence of how plastic particles travel from the surface to the deep ocean floor. The study quantifies the deep-sea plastic flux at an ecologically significant seafloor feature.
The vertical distribution and biological transport of marine microplastics across the epipelagic and mesopelagic water column
Remotely operated vehicles and custom samplers were used to collect microplastics from depths of 5–1000 m in Monterey Bay, finding that microplastic concentrations in mesopelagic waters (200–600 m depth) were comparable to or higher than surface concentrations. The study demonstrates that the deep ocean is not merely a sink but an active reservoir of microplastics vertically transported by biological organisms.
First evidence of plastic fallout from the North Pacific Garbage Patch
Researchers provided the first direct evidence that plastic debris from the North Pacific Garbage Patch sinks into the deep ocean, with plastic concentrations declining in a predictable pattern as depth increases. The polymer types found in the deep water matched those floating at the surface, confirming that surface garbage patches are a source of deep-sea plastic contamination.
Falling into the darkness – microplastics sinking fluxes in the deep sea
Researchers deployed a sediment trap at 230 metres depth on the Condor seamount in the Azores for 12 months, collecting 18 sequential samples to quantify seasonal patterns in microplastic sinking fluxes and investigate the mechanisms by which floating microplastics are transported to the deep sea.
Settling and Along-Isopycnal Subduction of Small Microplastics Into Subsurface Layers of the Western North Pacific Ocean
Researchers investigated the vertical distribution of small microplastics (10-300 micrometres) from the sea surface to 1,000 m depth in the western North Pacific Ocean, combining seawater sampling with hydrographic surveys at four stations. They found average SMP concentrations of 6,910 particles/m3, with elevated levels in isopycnal layers at 100-300 m depth and below the North Pacific Intermediate Water, identifying both weak settling and along-isopycnal subduction as transport pathways carrying surface MPs into subsurface layers.
Profiling the Vertical Transport of Microplastics in the West Pacific Ocean and the East Indian Ocean with a Novel in Situ Filtration Technique
Researchers developed a novel large-volume in situ filtration technique sampling 10 cubic meters of seawater to profile microplastic vertical transport in the West Pacific Ocean and East Indian Ocean, finding that conventional small-volume methods substantially underestimate deep-water microplastic abundance.
Abundance and characteristics of microfibers detected in sediment trap material from the deep subtropical North Atlantic Ocean
Researchers analyzed microfibers collected in sediment traps from the deep subtropical North Atlantic Ocean to characterize their abundance and composition, finding that synthetic fibers are transported through the water column and deposited in deep-sea sediments. The study helps quantify the role of atmospheric and surface inputs in delivering fibrous microplastics to deep marine environments.
Falling into the darkness – microplastics sinking fluxes in the deep sea
Researchers quantified the seasonal sinking flux of microplastics over a 12-month period using a sediment trap deployed at 230 metres depth on the Condor seamount in the Azores, collecting 18 samples each representing 20 days of particle accumulation. The study aimed to clarify the mechanisms — including biofouling and incorporation into particulate organic matter — by which surface microplastics are transported to deep-sea environments.
A novel method enabling the accurate quantification of microplastics in the water column of deep ocean
A new sampling method was developed to accurately measure microplastics in the deep ocean water column, addressing gaps left by traditional net trawls that miss very small particles. Reliable deep-sea sampling is critical since the deep ocean is thought to be a major sink for global microplastic pollution.
Settlingand Along-IsopycnalSubduction of Small MicroplasticsInto Subsurface Layers of the Western North Pacific Ocean
Researchers investigated the vertical distribution of small microplastics (10-300 micrometres) from the sea surface to 1,000 m in the western North Pacific Ocean, using seawater sampling and hydrographic surveys at four stations to relate SMP concentrations to water mass structure. They identified average concentrations of 6,910 particles/m3 and modelled two subduction pathways — weak settling of near-neutral-density particles and along-isopycnal transport — explaining elevated SMP concentrations in subsurface layers below the North Pacific Intermediate Water.
Microbial communities on plastic particles in surface waters differ from subsurface waters of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Researchers sampled plastic particles from the ocean surface down to 2,000 meters in the North Pacific and found that microbial communities on deep, sinking plastics are rapidly replaced by microbes from surrounding water, suggesting that plastic particles are not an efficient vehicle for transporting surface microorganisms into the deep sea.
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.
Not just a corridor: Hydrodynamic traps and fiber risk in the Kuroshio extension
Researchers conducted the first high-resolution assessment of microplastics in the Kuroshio Extension, a major Northwest Pacific current, finding concentrations ranging from 0.32 to 23.68 items/m³ across 26 sites. Hydrodynamic traps within the current system were identified as MP accumulation zones, and fiber-type plastics posed elevated ecological risk to organisms in the region.
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.
Vertical distribution of microplastics in the Western Pacific Warm Pool: In situ results comparison of different sampling method
Researchers explored microplastic pollution at different ocean depths in the Western Pacific Warm Pool, comparing results from two different sampling methods used simultaneously. They found discrepancies between CTD water samplers and large-volume in-situ filtration systems, highlighting the methodological challenges of deep-sea microplastic research. The study provides new data on the vertical distribution of microplastics in a poorly studied region of the open ocean.
Microplastic sedimentation in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Researchers collected deep-sea sediment samples over six years in the northern Gulf of Mexico to understand how microplastics travel through the water column. They found that microplastic sedimentation appears to be driven by sinking marine particles such as fecal pellets and marine snow. The study provides insights into the pathways by which microplastics reach the deep ocean floor in regions influenced by major river systems like the Mississippi.