Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation - INSU - Institut national des sciences de l'Univers Access content directly
Journal Articles Science Year : 2020

Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation

Ian A. Kane
  • Function : Author
Michael A. Clare
  • Function : Author
Elda Miramontes
  • Function : Author
Roy Wogelius
  • Function : Author
James J. Rothwell
  • Function : Author
Pierre Garreau
Florian Pohl
  • Function : Author

Abstract

Although microplastics are known to pervade the global seafloor, the processes that control their dispersal and concentration in the deep sea remain largely unknown. Here, we show that thermohaline-driven currents, which build extensive seafloor sediment accumulations, can control the distribution of microplastics and create hotspots with the highest concentrations reported for any seafloor setting (190 pieces per 50 grams). Previous studies propose that microplastics are transported to the seafloor by vertical settling from surface accumulations; here, we demonstrate that the spatial distribution and ultimate fate of microplastics are strongly controlled by near-bed thermohaline currents (bottom currents). These currents are known to supply oxygen and nutrients to deep-sea benthos, suggesting that deep-sea biodiversity hotspots are also likely to be microplastic hotspots.

Keywords

Dates and versions

insu-03683238 , version 1 (31-05-2022)

Identifiers

Cite

Ian A. Kane, Michael A. Clare, Elda Miramontes, Roy Wogelius, James J. Rothwell, et al.. Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation. Science, 2020, 368, pp.1140-1145. ⟨10.1126/science.aba5899⟩. ⟨insu-03683238⟩
4 View
0 Download

Altmetric

Share

Gmail Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More