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Microplastic Pollution in Deep-Sea Sediments From the Great Australian Bight

Year of Publication

2020

This article quantifies the microplastics on the ocean floor based on the analysis of sediment cores from six different locations from the Great Australian Bight.

Source:

Frontiers in Marine Science

Author(s):

Justine Barrett, Zanna Chase, Jing Zhang, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Kathryn Willis, Alan Williams, Britta D. Hardesty, Chris Wilcox

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Geography:

Global

Type:

Primary Data

Purpose of Measurement:

Understanding the Problem

Impact theme(s):

Material Flows, Oceans

This article quantifies the microplastics on the ocean floor based on the analysis of sediment cores from six different locations from the Great Australian Bight. Interest in understanding the extent of plastic and specifically microplastic pollution has increased on a global scale. The extent of microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments remains poorly quantified, but this knowledge is imperative for predicting the distribution and potential impacts of global plastic pollution. Based on the empirical data, the article conservatively estimates that 14 million tonnes of microplastic reside on the ocean floor.

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