The world’s sea floor is covered with an estimated 14 million tons of microplastics, separated from the majority of refuse entering the seas consistently, as per Australia’s national science agency.
The amount of the tiny pollutants was multiple times more prominent than past restricted examinations had appeared, the agency said, considering it the primary worldwide estimate of sea-floor microplastics.
Researchers at the agency, known as CSIRO, used a robotic submarine to collect samples from sites up to 3,000 meters (9,850 feet) profound, off the South Australian coast.
“Our examination found that the deep ocean is a sink for microplastics,” chief exploration researcher Denise Hardesty said.
“We were surprised to observe high microplastic loads in such a remote location.”
The scientists, who published their findings in peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Marine Science, said areas with more floating rubbish generally had more microplastic fragments on the sea floor.
“Plastic pollution that ends up in the ocean deteriorates and breaks down, ending up as microplastics,” study lead Justine Barrett said.
“The results show microplastics are indeed sinking to the ocean floor.”
Hardesty called for urgent action to find solutions to marine plastic pollution, which affects ecosystems, wildlife and human health.
“Government, industry and the community need to work together to significantly reduce the amount of litter we see along our beaches and in our oceans,” she said.
