Microplastics and synthetic particles ingested by deep-sea amphipods in six of the deepest marine ecosystems on Earth

While there is now an established recognition of microplastic pollution in the oceans, and the detrimental effects this may have on marine animals, the ocean depth at which such contamination is ingested by organisms has still not been established. Here, we detect the presence of ingested microplastics in the hindguts of Lysianassoidea amphipod populations, in six deep ocean trenches from around the Pacific Rim (Japan, Izu-Bonin, Mariana, Kermadec, New Hebrides and the Peru-Chile trenches), at depths ranging from 7000 m to 10 890 m. This illustrates that microplastic contaminants occur in the very deepest reaches of the oceans. Over 72% of individuals examined (65 of 90) contained at least one microparticle.…

• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Awards: NE/E007171/1, NE/N01149X/1
• NU
  Newcastle University
• BG
  British Geological Survey
• NF
  Nippon Foundation

  Award: 2009765188
• TF
  Total Foundation
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/E007171/1, NE/E007171/1, NE/N01149X/1