Plastic and rubber litter found in remote submarine canyon off Argentina’s coast
Plastic waste has been found in the most remote places — including, now, a deep-sea canyon off the coast of Argentina, according to a recent study. “The very first item spotted was a plastic bag entangled on the seafloor,” said Diego Urteaga, study co-author and a marine biologist at Argentina’s Bernardino Rivadavia Museum of Natural […]
A recent study has revealed that plastic and rubber litter has been discovered in a remote submarine canyon off the coast of Argentina. The Mar Del Plata Submarine Canyon, located about 250 kilometers off Argentina’s coast, was the focus of a biodiversity and habitat survey conducted by researchers. However, the litter quickly became a striking feature of the survey.
Over the course of 17 dives, the team observed 29 pieces of litter, primarily plastic with some rubber items. The most notable find was a plastic bag entangled on the seafloor, which was described as being "so clearly associated with human activity." Other items included fishing gear, plastic bags, wrappers, a plastic cup, and even a rubber boot.
The researchers also observed marine organisms attached to the litter, including a sea star on a plastic bag and a fishing rope colonized by organisms. This discovery highlights the fact that litter does not simply disappear after reaching the deep sea, but can have lasting impacts on marine life.
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