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How do deep-sea currents create microplastic hot spots?

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Ubiquitous plastics — plastic pollution A volunteer collecting plastic nurdles (pellets less than 0.2 inch [0.5 centimeter] in diameter) at Barreiras Beach, Corrubedo, Spain.

Deep-sea currents play a significant role in the distribution of microplastics within the marine environment. While much attention is often directed toward surface-level accumulation in subtropical gyres, research has revealed that the movement of deep-sea currents actively transports and concentrates microplastic particles on the ocean floor.1

These currents create microplastic "hot spots" by physically moving and depositing these small particles into specific areas of the deep sea. For example, studies have identified a notable hot spot in the Tyrrhenian Sea, where concentrations have been measured at nearly two million microplastic pieces per square meter. This process contributes to the estimated 14 million metric tons of microplastic particles currently resting on the ocean floor, demonstrating that the impact of plastic pollution extends far beyond the surface and into the deepest reaches of the ocean.1