It is well known that large quantities of plastic waste ends up into seas and oceans, but scientists have so far been able to account only for a fraction of the quantity that is believed to be in the oceans worldwide. Now a new study published on the Royal Society Open Science Journal seems to have found the answer.

A team of researchers have discovered that deep sea sediments are acting as a likely sink for microplastics, tiny particles of plastic less than 1mm in length. Sediments samples collected in 12 sites in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean were found containing microplastic which was up 1000 times more abundant (per unit volume) than in contaminated sea-surface waters.

The plastic found in the sediments and coral samples presents a wide variety of polymer types and is believed to come from a number of sources, both industrial and domestic.

The study shows therefore that substantial quantities of microplastic debris have accumulated in the deep sea. Now more research is needed to explore the impact of this material on those marine organisms that are known to ingest microplastic, and subsequently on the food chain.

For more information and to read the entire article please visit the Royal Society website