Largest concentration of microplastic on ocean floor found

Posted on 4 May 2020

Along the ocean floor in the Mediterranean, near Italy, is an area with the largest concentration of microplastics ever found under the sea. Researchers from the University of Manchester recently made the grim discovery, ‘with 1.9 million pieces covering just one square metre.’

According to the University of Manchester, while it was known that 99% of plastic that enters the ocean does end up on the ocean floor, the exact location has been unknown until now.

Recent research conducted by The University of Manchester, National Oceanography Centre (UK), University of Bremen (Germany), IFREMER (France) and Durham University (UK) explained that the deep-sea currents create a conveyor belt-like motion.

Small plastic pieces and microplastics move along the floor of the ocean.

Image: Unsplash

In a statement, the University of Manchester said: ‘These currents can concentrate microplastics within huge sediment accumulations, which they have deemed ‘microplastic hotspots’. These hotspots appear to be the deep-sea equivalents of the so-called ‘garbage patches’ formed by currents on the ocean surface.’

Once plastic is in the ocean, it either settles or is moved by ‘episodic tubidity currents’. This movement is the equivalent of underwater avalanches.

These currents then take the plastics to the deep sea. ‘Bottom currents’ on the ocean floor move microplastics further, too.

Dr Ian Kane, head author of the study, from The University of Manchester said: ‘Almost everybody has heard of the infamous ocean “garbage patches” of floating plastic, but we were shocked at the high concentrations of microplastics we found in the deep-seafloor.’

Co-lead on the research, Dr Mike Clare of National Oceanography Centre, said that the study proves that intervention needs to be taken immediately.

‘The results highlight the need for policy interventions to limit the future flow of plastics into natural environments and minimise impacts on ocean ecosystems,’ he said.

Image: Twitter/PlasticSoupFoundation






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