At the seabed of our oceans, there is twice as much plastic floating on the surface

WhatsAppWhatsAppTwitterTwitterFacebookFacebookPinterestPinterestRedditRedditGmailGmailShareShare

Who knows if the deep blue will remain only a suggestion of fairy tales, animated films, and writers’ imagination. Unfortunately, the reality of the seabed is not as poetic as we might imagine it, quite the contrary. It seems that in the world the seabed is twice as dirty as the surface of the water. According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the Australian national science agency, the results of the first-ever global estimate of microplastics on the seabed “suggest that there are 14 million tons in the depths of the ocean. This is more than double the amount of plastic pollution estimated on the ocean surface “.

 The restless study is titled “Microplastic Pollution in Deep-Sea Sediments from the Great Australian Bight” and was published in Frontiers in Marine Science. To summarize the results is one of its main authors, Justine Barret, a researcher at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). “Plastic pollution that ends up in the ocean deteriorates and decomposes, eventually becoming microplastics. Our research provides the first global estimate of the amount of microplastic present on the seabed. The deep ocean is also affected by the problem of plastic pollution. The results show that microplastics are sinking to the ocean floor.”

A really big problem, amplified by the evident difficulty of operating on deep waters. Just think that to collect the samples used in the study, the Australian research group relied on an underwater robot capable of diving up to 3000 meters deep, in sites even 380 kilometers away from the coast. Even more worrying is the trend highlighted by the CSIRO researchers: “The amount of microplastics recorded was 25 times higher than in previous deep-sea studies. Based on the results of the plastic densities in deep waters and bringing it back to the size of the ocean, we calculated a global estimate of microplastics on the seabed.”

Not having such refined means to act when the damage is done, the main weapon to defend the marine environment from plastics and microplastics is certainly prevention. One of the authors of the study, Denise Hardesty, recalls that “the plastic pollution of the world’s oceans is an internationally recognized environmental problem, with results indicating the urgent need to produce effective solutions against plastic pollution. Our research has found that the deep ocean is a well of microplastics.”

Generally, the number of microplastic fragments found on the seafloor was higher in areas where there was also more floating waste. Researchers were surprised to see microplastics’ high loads in such a remote area. By identifying where and how much microplastic is present, they get a better picture of the extent of the problem. That will help inform waste management strategies and create behavioural changes and opportunities to prevent plastics and other waste from entering our environment.

Related Posts

We can all help reduce the plastic that ends up in our oceans by avoiding single-use plastics, supporting recycling and waste industries, and disposing of our waste carefully so it doesn’t end up in our environment. The governments, industries and communities must work together to significantly reduce the amount of waste we see along our beaches and in our oceans.

Geopolitical Monitor

The daily developments on front of geopolitical relations and agendas are guaranteed to be brought to you. Assuring to bring to you the most unique point of view regarding the global developments

Recent Posts

Texas Snowfall: Winter Storm Cora Brings Snow and Ice – Here’s What We Know

Winter Storm Cora hit Texas hard on Thursday, bringing freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. While snow totals varied across the… Read More

January 10, 2025

The Rise and Fall of London: Can It Compete in the Global Talent Race?

London – a city that is a powerhouse in attracting global talent. This city is having around 59% of its… Read More

January 10, 2025

Breaking News: Delta Plane Evacuated at Atlanta Airport, 4 Injured

A Delta flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Minneapolis-St. Paul was evacuated Friday morning after an engine issue during… Read More

January 10, 2025

Unemployment Falls to 4.1% in December 2024: How the US Job Market Is Shaping 2025

The data of US labor market showed a big growth by adding 256,000 jobs in December 2024. This growth far… Read More

January 10, 2025

FA Cup 2024/25 Third Round: Fixtures, Results, Dates, and Schedule for Matches in the English Cup Competition

As 2024-2025 FA Cup is started it is creating waves and attracting eyes of audiences from the world. This is… Read More

January 10, 2025

Updated 2024-25 College Football Playoff Bracket: Rankings and Game Highlights

The 2024-25 College Football Playoff is set featuring the official 12-team lineup and final top 25 rankings announced on Dec.… Read More

January 10, 2025