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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Human footprints at hadal depths: interlayer and intralayer comparison of sediment cores from the Kuril Kamchatka trench
ClearSystematic identification of microplastics in abyssal and hadal sediments of the Kuril Kamchatka trench
Researchers systematically identified and characterised microplastics in abyssal and hadal sediment samples from the Kuril Kamchatka Trench in the North Pacific, one of the deepest ocean regions. They confirmed microplastic accumulation in this remote trench environment, consistent with the hypothesis that deep trenches serve as ultimate sinks for marine plastic debris transported by strong regional currents.
Journey to the deep: plastic pollution in the hadal of deep-sea trenches.
Researchers conducted one of the largest surveys of macroplastic debris at hadal depths down to 9,600 meters in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, finding packaging and fishing-related items primarily made of polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon transported by ocean currents.
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.
Comparison of Microplastic abundance in varying depths of deep-sea sediments, Bay of Bengal
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in deep-sea sediment samples from the Bay of Bengal at depths of 225 to 1,070 meters, finding the highest concentrations at intermediate depths. The findings add to evidence that microplastics have penetrated into deep-sea environments far from the surface.
The ocean’s ultimate trashcan: Hadal trenches as major depositories for plastic pollution
Analysis of hadal trenches - the deepest points in the ocean - found them to be major accumulation zones for microplastics and plastic debris, with concentrations higher than many surface ocean regions. This reveals that plastic pollution has reached the most remote and extreme environments on Earth, transported by deep-sea currents to ultimate depositional sinks.
Microplastics contaminate the deepest part of the world’s ocean
Microplastic concentrations were measured in bottom water and sediments of the Mariana Trench, finding hadal bottom water concentrations of 2.06–13.51 pieces/L—several times higher than open ocean subsurface water—and sediment concentrations of 200–2,200 pieces/L. The study provides the first evidence that the world's deepest ocean environment is heavily contaminated with microplastics, likely through sinking and current-driven accumulation.
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.
Microplastics and synthetic particles ingested by deep-sea amphipods in six of the deepest marine ecosystems on Earth
Amphipod crustaceans from six of the deepest Pacific ocean trenches (7,000–10,890 m depth) were examined for microplastic ingestion, with over 72% of the 90 individuals containing at least one microparticle, including fibers, films, and fragments of polyethylene terephthalate and nylon. The study provides the first evidence that microplastic contamination reaches the deepest inhabited parts of the world's oceans.
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.
Microplastics in the abyss: a first investigation into sediments at 2443-m depth (Toulon, France)
Researchers conducted the first microplastic investigation of deep-sea sediments at 2,443-m depth near Toulon, France, finding microplastics present in abyssal sediments and suggesting that deep-sea environments are not isolated from surface plastic pollution.
Toxic anthropogenic pollutants reach the deepest ocean on Earth
PCBs (toxic industrial chemicals) were found at extremely high concentrations in sediment from the deepest part of the Mariana Trench, far exceeding levels seen in shallower marine sediments. This confirms that persistent pollutants—and by implication microplastics—sink to and accumulate in the world's deepest ocean trenches.
High Quantities of Microplastic in Arctic Deep-Sea Sediments from the HAUSGARTEN Observatory
Researchers found high quantities of microplastics in deep-sea sediments from the Arctic HAUSGARTEN observatory, demonstrating that even remote deep Arctic seafloor environments have accumulated significant microplastic pollution.
Diving into the Depths: Uncovering Microplastics in Norwegian Coastal Sediment Cores
Researchers analyzed microplastic vertical distribution in sediment cores from five sites along the Norwegian coast extending to Arctic waters, filling a gap in high-resolution depth profile data for European and Arctic sediments. Microplastics were found throughout core depths with concentrations generally increasing toward the surface in patterns reflecting historical plastic production growth.
Distribution 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.
Investigation of Microplastics from Deep-Sea Antarctic and West Coast North American Sediments
Microplastics were identified in deep-sea sediments from both Antarctic and North American Pacific sites, confirming that plastic pollution has reached even the most remote ocean floor environments far from human activity.
Plastic microfibre ingestion by deep-sea organisms
Researchers provided the first evidence that microplastics are being ingested and internalized by deep-sea organisms living on the ocean floor. The study found plastic microfibres in multiple deep-water species, demonstrating that microplastic contamination has already reached some of the most remote habitats on Earth.
From Surface Hotspots to Abyssal Sediments: Vertical Distribution of (Micro)plastics in the North Pacific Ocean
Scientists found tiny plastic particles throughout the entire depth of the Pacific Ocean, from the surface all the way down to the seafloor over 3 miles deep. This shows that plastic pollution has spread much further into our oceans than previously known, contaminating even the deepest parts of the sea. This matters because these microplastics can enter the food chain through fish and seafood that people eat, potentially affecting human health.
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.
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.
Depth profiles of microplastics in sediments from inland water to coast and their influential factors
This review examines how microplastics settle and accumulate in deep sediment layers from rivers to coastal areas, revealing that contamination extends well below the surface. Generally, smaller microplastics are found at greater depths, and the abundance varies significantly from site to site. Understanding how microplastics bury themselves in sediments is important because these hidden reservoirs could release particles back into water supplies over time, affecting both ecosystems and human water sources.