Systematic identification of microplastics in abyssal and hadal sediments of the Kuril Kamchatka trench

• Main Author: Abel, Serena
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Kamchatka
• Online Access: https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/53863/; https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/53863/1/337476_MICRO2020_poster.pdf; https://www.micro.infini.fr/micro-2020; https://hdl.handle.net/10013/epic.7eb76d44-4b96-4470-8d45-e22d2f3f5c9b

The occurrence of microplastics throughout marine environments worldwide, from pelagic to benthic habitats, has become serious cause for concern. Hadal zones were recently described as the “trash bins of the oceans” and ultimate sink for marine plastic debris. The Kuril region covers a substantial area of the North Pacific Ocean and is characterised by high biological productivity, intense marine traffic through the Kuril straits, and anthropogenic activity. Strong tidal currents and eddy activity, as well as the influence of Pacific currents, have the potential for long distance transport and retention of microplastics in this area. The Kuril Kamchatka Trench might accumulate microplastics from the surrounding environments and act as the final sink for high quantities of microplastics.