Marine litter in deep sea ecosystems of the Mediterranean

Marine litter is a major issue in deep sea ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea, new research confirms. A recent study by researchers at the Institut de Ciències del Mar in Spain shows that the total weight of litter found in these sensitive areas often equals, and even exceeds, that of the animals that live there. In this study, the Mediterranean deep sea floor was sampled at depths of between 900 and 3000m.
This work can provide a baseline for assessments of the impact of deep sea marine litter and to inform future policy reforms, the researchers suggest. An article about the research was published in Progress in Oceanography (Science for Environment Policy News Alert, 24 October 2013).
Click here for the News Alert (234 kB).
Click here for an abstract of the article.

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