Microplastics in the deep Atlantic ocean

 Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)have analysed  microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic from a depth of 2000 m water depth with respect to number, size, mass, material and possible origin of the particles. The most common plastic materials were polyethylene and PVC. The Detected microplastics were predominantly small fragmented (<100 μm) particles. The results provide insights into the variability of the sinking microplastics and a first approach to understanding their fate in the ocean.

Janika Reineccius & Joanna J. Waniek (2022): First long-term evidence of microplastic pollution in the deep subtropical Northeast Atlantic. Environmental Pollution 305 (2022) 119302



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