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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Slow biological microplastics removal under ocean pollution phase-out trajectories
ClearA Critical Examination of the Role of Marine Snow and Zooplankton Fecal Pellets in Removing Ocean Surface Microplastic
This review critically examines the hypothesized role of marine snow and zooplankton fecal pellets in exporting surface microplastics to deep ocean sediments, finding that while biological packaging can enhance sinking rates, the quantitative contribution of this pathway to resolving the 'missing plastic' problem remains uncertain. The authors call for improved field measurements and modeling to test these mechanisms rigorously.
Modelling the sedimentation of macro-, micro- and nanoplastics in the ocean from surface to sediment
This study modeled the sedimentation of macro-, micro-, and nanoplastics in the ocean, focusing on how the biological pump and marine snow aggregation transfer plastic from surface waters to the deep sea. The model showed that biological processes dramatically accelerate the removal of plastic particles from the ocean surface, with implications for estimates of marine plastic residence times.
Modelling the sedimentation of macro-, micro- and nanoplastics in the ocean from surface to sediment
This study modeled the sedimentation of macro-, micro-, and nanoplastics in the ocean, focusing on the role of the biological pump and marine snow aggregation in removing plastics from the surface and transporting them to depth. Models showed that natural settling processes driven by biologically produced particles are a significant mechanism for transferring plastic pollution to the seafloor.
Modelling the Influence from Biota and Organic Matter on the Transport Dynamics of Microplastics in the Water Column and Bottom Sediments in the Oslo Fjord
Researchers modeled how seasonal biological activity, biofouling, and zooplankton fecal pellet production affect the vertical transport and sediment burial of microplastics in Oslo Fjord. The model demonstrated that biotic factors significantly alter microplastic sinking rates and sediment accumulation patterns across seasons.
Role of Marine Snows in Microplastic Fate and Bioavailability
Laboratory experiments demonstrated that marine snow — organic aggregates formed naturally in the ocean — can incorporate microplastics and transport them from surface waters toward the seafloor. The findings provide a physical mechanism explaining how buoyant microplastics sink to become a major component of seafloor sediment pollution.
Modelling the sedimentation of macro-, micro- and nanoplastics in the ocean from surface to sediment
Researchers modeled the sedimentation of macro-, micro-, and nanoplastics from the ocean surface to the seafloor, finding that biofouling and particle aggregation dramatically accelerate sinking rates and that most plastics eventually reach benthic environments.
Microplastics may reduce the efficiency of the biological carbon pump by decreasing the settling velocity and carbon content of marine snow
Researchers found that microfibers incorporated into marine snow aggregates reduced both the settling velocity and carbon content of these particles. The study suggests that microplastic contamination could impair the biological carbon pump, the ocean's key mechanism for transporting carbon from surface waters to the deep sea, with potential implications for marine carbon cycling.
Microplastics may reduce the efficiency of the biological carbon pump by decreasing the settling velocity and carbon content of marine snow
Researchers found that microplastic fibers reduce the efficiency of the ocean's biological carbon pump by slowing the sinking of marine snow — clumps of organic material that carry carbon to the deep sea. This suggests that microplastic pollution could interfere with a key natural climate regulation mechanism by altering how carbon moves from surface waters to the ocean floor.
The global biological microplastic particle sink
This study examined the role of biological processes — including ingestion, biofouling, and sinking of fecal pellets — in creating a global biological sink for microplastic particles at depth in the ocean. It estimated that roughly 4% of annual plastic waste enters the ocean, and biological packaging of plastics into dense aggregates and fecal pellets accelerates particle sinking.
Rapid aggregation of biofilm-covered microplastics with marine biogenic particles
Researchers demonstrated that biofilm-covered microplastics rapidly aggregate with marine biogenic particles such as algal cells and fecal pellets, which accelerates their sinking from surface waters. The study helps explain why microplastic concentrations at the ocean surface are lower than expected — biofouling causes the particles to be transported to deeper waters and sediments faster than previously assumed.
Global Modeled Sinking Characteristics of Biofouled Microplastic
Researchers developed a global model of microplastic biofouling and sinking using satellite oceanographic data to estimate where and when buoyant plastic particles sink out of the surface ocean, finding that sinking timescales ranged from days in tropical waters to months in high-latitude regions depending on temperature and productivity.
An approach for extraction, characterization and quantitation of microplastic in natural marine snow using Raman microscopy
This study demonstrated that marine snow — the organic aggregates that sink continuously through the ocean — incorporates microplastics and transports them toward the seafloor. The finding identifies biological particle aggregation as an important mechanism for removing microplastics from the upper ocean and depositing them in deep-sea sediments.
Can microplastics pose a threat to ocean carbon sequestration?
This paper explores whether microplastic pollution in the ocean could interfere with carbon sequestration processes, including the biological carbon pump that moves carbon to the deep sea through sinking organic matter. If microplastics disrupt phytoplankton, zooplankton, or marine snow formation, they could undermine one of the ocean's key roles in regulating global climate.
The factors influencing the vertical transport of microplastics in marine environment: A review
This review examines the factors that cause microplastics to sink from the ocean surface to deeper waters and sediments, including particle properties, biofouling by marine organisms, and interactions with marine snow. Researchers found that biological processes like ingestion and egestion by marine animals play a major role in transporting even lightweight plastics to the seafloor. Understanding these vertical transport mechanisms is essential for accurately assessing where microplastics accumulate in the ocean.
Modeling the influence of biogeochemical processes on the transport of microplastics in the Arctic Ocean
Researchers modeled how seasonal marine biological processes — including biofouling by algae and zooplankton ingestion and excretion of microplastics — affect vertical transport of microplastics in the Arctic Ocean. The model showed that biological processes significantly alter where microplastics accumulate in the water column across seasons. These findings improve predictions of how microplastics distribute in polar oceans, where they can be sequestered or released back to the surface.
Hitchhiking into the Deep: How Microplastic Particles are Exported through the Biological Carbon Pump in the North Atlantic Ocean
This study investigated how microplastic particles are exported from the ocean surface to the deep sea through the biological carbon pump in the North Atlantic. Microplastics were found associated with sinking organic aggregates (marine snow), fecal pellets, and zooplankton, demonstrating biological packaging as a key mechanism for deep-sea plastic transport.
A review of possible pathways of marine microplastics transport in the ocean
This review examines the major pathways by which marine microplastics are transported through the ocean, including surface currents, vertical mixing, biological uptake, and seafloor deposition. Understanding these transport mechanisms is essential for predicting where plastic pollution accumulates and how it affects marine ecosystems.
Understanding the influence of biota in the transfer of different sized microplastics between environmental compartments of marine ecosystem
This study investigated how marine micro- and macro-biota influence the transport of microplastics between environmental compartments such as water, sediment, and organisms, finding that biological interactions substantially alter the distribution of particles beyond what hydrodynamics alone would predict.
Microplastics affect marine snow formation and sinking to the ocean's interior
Researchers conducted laboratory and onboard ship incubations to investigate how microplastics influence marine snow formation and sinking behavior, finding that microplastics significantly enhanced aggregate formation by providing hydrophobic interfaces that promote adhesion with organic matter, with polymer density and morphology modulating aggregate sinking rates.
Modelling submerged biofouled microplastics and their vertical trajectories
Using an ocean circulation model, researchers simulated the vertical trajectories of biofouled microplastic particles of different sizes across three ocean regions with distinct biological and physical properties. Larger particles (0.1 to 1.0 mm) showed rapid oscillatory sinking and resurfacing behavior with cycles under 10 days, while smaller particles oscillated over up to 130 days, explaining how biofouling drives microplastic distribution through the water column.
Marine microplastic debris: a targeted plan for understanding and quantifying interactions with marine life
This review examines the mechanisms by which marine organisms interact with microplastic debris and proposes a targeted research plan for understanding and quantifying these interactions and their role in redistributing plastic throughout ocean environments. The authors synthesize laboratory and field evidence showing that biotic processes - including ingestion, egestion, and biofouling - may significantly alter the spatial distribution and long-term fate of microplastics in marine systems.
Microplastic accumulation, depuration dynamics and localization in environmental compartments: combination of experimental set ups and field studies
Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation and depuration in multiple environmental compartments and marine organisms using controlled microcosm experiments. The study found that particles distribute differently across sediment, water, and biota, and that biological depuration is incomplete within realistic timeframes.
Oceanic realistic application of a microplastic biofouling model to the river discharge case
Researchers applied a biofouling model to simulate how microbial colonization affects microplastic transport from river discharge into oceanic environments, finding that biofouling alters particle density and significantly changes vertical distribution and transport distances.
effects of microplastic contamination of marine snow on the deep sea food chain and carbon sequestration by phytoplankton
This study examines the effects of microplastic contamination of marine snow on the deep-sea food chain and on carbon sequestration by phytoplankton, investigating how microplastics alter the biological pump that transports organic carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean. The findings highlight microplastics as a disruptive factor in deep-sea carbon cycling and trophic energy transfer pathways.