Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation - INSU - Institut national des sciences de l'Univers Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue Science Année : 2020

Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation

Ian A. Kane
  • Fonction : Auteur
Michael A. Clare
  • Fonction : Auteur
Elda Miramontes
  • Fonction : Auteur
Roy Wogelius
  • Fonction : Auteur
James J. Rothwell
  • Fonction : Auteur
Pierre Garreau
Florian Pohl
  • Fonction : Auteur

Résumé

Although microplastics are known to pervade the global seafloor, the processes that control their dispersal and concentration in the deep sea remain largely unknown. Here, we show that thermohaline-driven currents, which build extensive seafloor sediment accumulations, can control the distribution of microplastics and create hotspots with the highest concentrations reported for any seafloor setting (190 pieces per 50 grams). Previous studies propose that microplastics are transported to the seafloor by vertical settling from surface accumulations; here, we demonstrate that the spatial distribution and ultimate fate of microplastics are strongly controlled by near-bed thermohaline currents (bottom currents). These currents are known to supply oxygen and nutrients to deep-sea benthos, suggesting that deep-sea biodiversity hotspots are also likely to be microplastic hotspots.

Mots clés

Dates et versions

insu-03683238 , version 1 (31-05-2022)

Identifiants

Citer

Ian A. Kane, Michael A. Clare, Elda Miramontes, Roy Wogelius, James J. Rothwell, et al.. Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation. Science, 2020, 368, pp.1140-1145. ⟨10.1126/science.aba5899⟩. ⟨insu-03683238⟩
12 Consultations
0 Téléchargements

Altmetric

Partager

Gmail Facebook X LinkedIn More