INQUISITR Article: Scientists Discover Link Between Deep Sea Currents And Microplastic Hot Spots

Description

A team of scientists has discovered the highest concentration of microplastics ever recorded on the seafloor, according to their findings published in Science yesterday. Led by Dr. Ian Kane of the University of Manchester, the team consisted of a collaboration of researchers from the University of Bremen, IFREMER, University of Durham, and the National Oceanography Centre in the U.K.

In a survey of the Tyrrhenian basin between Italy, Corsica, and Sardinia, the team found 1.9 million plastic pieces per 11 square feet of seafloor, representing the largest microplastic hot spot found to date. Their findings suggest that deep-sea currents carry the debris to microplastic hot spots, which could impact deep-sea ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity.

One of the researchers, Professor Elda Miramontes of the University of Bremen, says that these results represent a clear call to action.

"We're all making an effort to improve our safety and we are all staying at home and changing our lives — changing our work life, or even stopping work. We're doing all this so that people are not affected by this sickness. We have to think in the same way when we protect our oceans," she told BBC News.