'Most Isolated Environments': Microplastics Are Finding Their Way Down to Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents

A KRIBB-led study found microplastics in 11 of 12 deep-sea hydrothermal vent animals.

The samples came from snails and mussels in the North Fiji Basin and the Central Indian Ridge, with higher levels in the Indian Ocean samples.

Snails and mussels showed different tissue contamination patterns, suggesting distinct exposure pathways in deep-sea species.

The findings show plastic pollution has reached some of Earth’s most isolated deep-ocean ecosystems.

Because cleanup at these depths is impractical, the study highlights the need to reduce plastic at the source.