Microplastics Threaten Ocean’s Role in Capturing Carbon

Rapid Summary

• Global Survey Findings: Microplastics are prevalent throughout the entire ocean water column, including at its deepest points like the Mariana Trench (13,000 microplastic particles per cubic meter measured).
• Distribution: Small plastic particles are evenly distributed across depths,rather than just sinking or floating.
• Carbon Connection: Polymers in microplastics form a meaningful proportion of carbon particles in oceans; at 2,000 meters depth, thay account for up to 5% of carbon.
• Marine Ecosystem Impact: Microplastics might affect plankton activity and disrupt the biological carbon pump,reducing atmospheric CO₂ absorption.
• Scientific Insights: Researchers suggest that these findings challenge previous assumptions about plastic dispersion and emphasize how deeply embedded plastics are in oceanic processes.

Image: A free diver amidst plastic pollution. (Credit: Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)