New study: Microplastics exist at all depths in the ocean

An international research team including the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has found that microplastic particles floating in the ocean are widely distributed, from near the surface to the deep sea.

Data collected from about 1,900 locations around the world during 2014-2024 included ocean regions such as the North Atlantic, North Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The results showed that microplastic concentrations in estuaries and coastal areas were much higher than those in offshore areas, with average concentrations 30 times higher than offshore. It is thought that phytoplankton and other organisms attach to microplastics and sink, causing them to linger in coastal areas.

The team also found a relationship between depth and microplastic size. They found that relatively small particles, 1-100 µm (micrometers) in size, were widely distributed and remained in the water for longer, from the surface to depths of about 5,000 meters. Meanwhile, larger particles, between 100 µm and 5mm, remained mostly near the surface or sank to the seabed.

Mr. Xie Zhao, Deputy Director of the Marine Biological Environmental Impact Research Center of JAMSTEC, commented that the ocean is becoming a giant repository of microplastics.

However, due to the different methods of microplastic analysis among researchers, it is still difficult to grasp the exact situation. The research team aims to develop a standard survey method in the near future to improve accuracy.

The existence of microplastics at all ocean depths and their absorption by marine life poses a potential risk of seriously affecting the marine ecosystem./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nghien-cuu-moi-cac-hat-vi-nhua-ton-tai-o-moi-do-sau-trong-dai-duong-post1036207.vnp