Consistent microplastic ingestion by deep-sea invertebrates over the last four decades (1976–2015), a study from the North East Atlantic

Abstract

Although evidence suggests the ubiquity of microplastics in the marine environment, our knowledge of its occurrence within remote habitats, such as the deep sea, is scarce. Furthermore, long term investigations of microplastic abundances are even more limited. Here we present a long-term study of the ingestion of microplastics by two deep-sea benthic invertebrates (Ophiomusium lymani and Hymenaster pellucidus) sampled over four decades. Specimens were collected between the years 1976–2015 from a repeat monitoring site >2000 m deep in the Rockall Trough, North East Atlantic. Microplastics were identified at a relatively consistent level throughout and therefore may have been present at this locality prior to 1976. Considering the mass production of plastics began in the 1940s - 50s our data suggest the relatively rapid occurrence of microplastics within the deep sea. Of the individuals examined (n = 153), 45% had ingested microplastics, of which fibres were most prevalent (95%). A total of eight different polymer types were isolated; polyamide and polyester were found in the highest concentrations and in the majority of years, while low-density polystyrene was only identified in 2015. This study provides an assessment of the historic occurrence of microplastics on the deep seafloor and presents a detailed quantification and characterisation of microplastics ingested by benthic species. Furthermore these data advance our knowledge on the long-term fate of microplastic in marine systems.

Contourite characterization and its discrimination from other deep‐water deposits in the Gulf of Cadiz contourite depositional system

“…The interest in distinguishing among contourites, turbidites and hemipelagites based on: (i) the role of mixed turbiditic-contouritic systems in deep-water petroleum plays (Sansom, 2018;Fonnesu et al, 2020); (ii) implications for mineral resources and for the judicial determination of a continental shelf´s outer limits since contourites shape continental shelf morphology (Rebesco et al, 2014;Mosher et al, 2017); (iii) the environmental impact of bottom current deposits in the accumulation of microplastics (Courtene-Jones et al, 2019;Kane et al, 2020); (iv) the close link between contourites and deep-water ecosystems (Hebbeln et al, 2016;L€ udmann et al, 2016;Lozano et al, 2020); and (v) slope stability and other geohazards (Laberg & Camerlenghi, 2008;Miramontes et al, 2018). Despite this interest, there is still no clear criteria for contourite characterization and its discrimination from other deep-water deposits.…”

A fish tale: a century of museum specimens reveal increasing microplastic concentrations in freshwater fish

“…A few studies have examined historical specimens for microplastics, but have not shown a temporal trend in concentration. For example, Courtene‐Jones et al (2019) found that microplastic concentrations in deep‐sea invertebrates did not increase significantly from the 1970s to 2015. Beer et al (2018) studied marine fish collected from 1980s to 2010s and found there were no significant differences in microplastic concentration over time.…”

Sampling and Quality Assurance and Quality Control: A Guide for Scientists Investigating the Occurrence of Microplastics Across Matrices

“…Recent studies on plankton and forage fish have taken great care to thoroughly clean specimens externally prior to digestion or dissection, and to focus solely on whole organisms rather than on pre-dissected tissues, which carry a higher risk of contamination from the surroundings in which samples were processed, sometimes decades previously. 176,184,185…”

“…Recent studies on plankton and forage fish have taken great care to thoroughly clean specimens externally prior to digestion or dissection, and to focus solely on whole organisms rather than on pre-dissected tissues, which carry a higher risk of contamination from the surroundings in which samples were processed, sometimes decades previously. 176,184,185 Necropsies of deceased individuals can provide information on diet as well as exposure to microplastics. This approach has been applied to birds for many years and has been recommended for monitoring within Oslo/Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Northeast Atlantic.…”