Taylor, ML and Gwinnett, C and Robinson, LF and Woodall, LC (2016) Plastic microfibre ingestion by deep-sea organisms. Scientific Reports, 6 (1). 33997-. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/srep33997
Taylor, ML and Gwinnett, C and Robinson, LF and Woodall, LC (2016) Plastic microfibre ingestion by deep-sea organisms. Scientific Reports, 6 (1). 33997-. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/srep33997
Taylor, ML and Gwinnett, C and Robinson, LF and Woodall, LC (2016) Plastic microfibre ingestion by deep-sea organisms. Scientific Reports, 6 (1). 33997-. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/srep33997
Abstract
Plastic waste is a distinctive indicator of the world-wide impact of anthropogenic activities. Both macro- and micro-plastics are found in the ocean, but as yet little is known about their ultimate fate and their impact on marine ecosystems. In this study we present the first evidence that microplastics are already becoming integrated into deep-water organisms. By examining organisms that live on the deep-sea floor we show that plastic microfibres are ingested and internalised by members of at least three major phyla with different feeding mechanisms. These results demonstrate that, despite its remote location, the deep sea and its fragile habitats are already being exposed to human waste to the extent that diverse organisms are ingesting microplastics.
Item Type: | Article |
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Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GC Oceanography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences |
Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Health Faculty of Science and Health > Life Sciences, School of |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 20 Dec 2017 10:51 |
Last Modified: | 30 Oct 2024 17:21 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/20897 |
Available files
Filename: srep33997.pdf
Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0