The deep sea is a major sink for microplastic debris

Marine debris, mostly consisting of plastic, is a global problem, negatively impacting wildlife, tourism and shipping. However, despite the durability of plastic, and the exponential increase in its production, monitoring data show limited evidence of concomitant increasing concentrations in marine habitats. There appears to be a considerable proportion of the manufactured plastic that is unaccounted for in surveys tracking the fate of environmental plastics. Even the discovery of widespread accumulation of microscopic fragments (microplastics) in oceanic gyres and shallow water sediments is unable to explain the missing fraction. Here, we show that deep-sea sediments are a likely sink for microplastics.…

• GE
  Global Environment Facility
• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Awards: NE/F005563/1, NE/F005504/1
• GD
  Generalitat de Catalunya

  Awards: SGR 1305, 2009 SGR 1305
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/F005563/1, NE/F005504/1, F005504/1, NE/F005504/1