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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Plastic pollution in deep seafloor of the South China Sea
ClearDistribution and controlling factors of microplastics in surface sediments of typical deep-sea geomorphological units in the northern South China Sea
Researchers collected surface sediments from typical deep-sea geomorphological units — sand dunes, sediment drifts, and submarine canyon channels and levees — in the northern South China Sea to examine how sedimentary dynamic conditions control the distribution of microplastics in deep-sea environments.
Transport and accumulation of plastic litter in submarine canyons—The role of gravity flows
Manned submersible dives in a submarine canyon in the northwestern South China Sea found plastic litter accumulations concentrated in scoured zones roughly 150 km from the nearest coast. Gravity-driven sediment flows and bottom currents were identified as the main mechanisms transporting plastic debris to deep-sea canyon floors.
Distribution pattern and influencing factors for the microplastics in continental shelf, slope, and deep-sea surface sediments from the South China Sea
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in surface sediments across the continental shelf, slope, and deep-sea floor of the northern South China Sea. The study found an average abundance of about 131 particles per kilogram, with distribution patterns influenced by ocean currents, water depth, and proximity to river inputs.
Elucidating the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in water column of the northwestern South China Sea with a large-volume in situ filtration technology (plankton pump)
Researchers used a large-volume in-situ filtration device to sample microplastics throughout the water column of the northwestern South China Sea, including deep waters. They found concentrations of 0.2–1.5 items/m³ (average 0.56/m³), dominated by PP and PET fragments, with no significant differences in abundance or polymer type across depths.
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.
The combined role of near-bed currents and sub-seafloor processes in the transport and pervasive burial of microplastics in submarine canyons
Researchers studied how near-bed currents and sub-seafloor processes interact in submarine canyons to transport microplastics to deep-sea sediments, finding that canyon systems record temporal trends in plastic pollution but that physical disturbance can obscure or rework the depositional signal.
Microplastic ingestion in deep-sea fish from the South China Sea
Microplastics were found in all deep-sea fish species examined from the northern continental slope of the South China Sea, with fiber shapes predominating, suggesting pervasive contamination even in deep-water ecosystems.
Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments
Researchers analyzed deep-sea sediment cores and found microplastics present at depth, providing early evidence that deep-sea sediments globally accumulate microplastic pollution far from coastlines and at the seafloor.
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.
Microplastic pollution and regulating factors in the surface sediment of the Xuande Atolls in the South China Sea
Scientists found microplastic pollution in seafloor sediments at the remote Xuande Atolls in the South China Sea, and identified water currents and human activity as key drivers of where the particles accumulate. The presence of microplastics in such a distant marine area underscores how pervasive plastic pollution has become in ocean environments far from population centers.
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.
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.
How long for plastics to decompose in the deep sea?
Researchers recovered 103 plastic debris items from deep-sea floors (746-3,997 m depth) in the South China Sea using a manned submersible and examined surface corrosion to assess long-term plastic degradation rates. They found abundant corrosion structures on polyethylene (the dominant type at 80%), with rod-like and filamentous features indicating biological and physical degradation, though the timeline for full decomposition remains uncertain.
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.
Underestimated Microplastic Pollution Derived from Fishery Activities and “Hidden” in Deep Sediment
Scientists measured microplastics in deep sediments of the Beibu Gulf (China) and found that fishing-related activities — particularly concentrated in historical fishing grounds — left distinct microplastic signatures at depth, revealing a hidden fishery-derived plastic legacy in seafloor sediments.
Occurrence of microplastics in the Haima cold seep area of the South China Sea
Researchers characterized microplastic distribution in seawater, sediments, and shellfish from the Haima cold seep area in the South China Sea, providing baseline data on deep-sea plastic contamination in a unique chemosynthetic ecosystem.
High Abundances of Microplastic Pollution in Deep-Sea Sediments: Evidence from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
Microplastic pollution was investigated in deep-sea sediments from Antarctic and Southern Ocean regions, finding high abundances that varied among sites. The study confirmed that microplastics are accumulating in the remote Antarctic deep-sea environment, with evidence going back to scientific literature from the 1980s that has accelerated in recent years.
Vertical Stratification and Driving Factors of Microplastics in the South China Sea: Distributions, Mechanisms, and Ecological Risks
Researchers collected water samples from 15 stations across the South China Sea to map the vertical distribution of microplastics through the water column. They found that depth, ocean currents, and biological activity strongly influenced microplastic stratification, with ecological risk higher in surface and subsurface layers.
The first report on emerged microplastics in deep-sea sediment: Insights from the Central Indian Ocean Basin
Researchers reported the first detection of emerged (beach-cast) microplastics in deep-sea sediments from an understudied region, characterizing particle types, polymer composition, and likely transport pathways. The findings confirm that even remote deep-sea environments receive microplastic inputs.
Microplastic in the Deep-sea Sediment of Southwestern Sumatran Waters
Researchers found microplastic particles in deep-sea sediments off the coast of southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia — a country that ranks among the world's largest plastic waste producers. The presence of microplastics in deep-sea sediments confirms that plastic particles sink and accumulate even in remote ocean floor environments far from land.
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.
Deep-ocean seafloor islands of plastics
Deep-ocean sediment transport processes concentrate microplastics into underwater islands or hotspots, similar to how they concentrate fine organic particles, making the deep seafloor a major repository for plastic pollution.
Plastics in the deep sea – a global estimate of the ocean floor reservoir
This systematic review estimates the total amount of plastic pollution resting on the deep ocean floor worldwide. The research reveals that the deep sea serves as a massive reservoir for plastic waste, which is concerning because as these plastics break down into microplastics over time, they can be consumed by deep-sea organisms and re-enter the food chain.
Vertical Stratificationand Driving Factors of Microplasticsin the South China Sea: Distributions, Mechanisms, and EcologicalRisks
This study of the South China Sea found that microplastic abundance decreases significantly with water depth, with lighter polymers concentrated near the surface and denser polymers found deeper. Temperature, salinity, and ocean stratification were identified as key drivers of this vertical distribution pattern.