Polyester pollution is disrupting life on the seafloor

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-04-12 10:30

Australia; New Zealand; International

Image by Mink Mingle via UnSplash

New Zealand and international researchers have found that tiny plastic fibres from polyester materials are messing with the way organic matter is usually broken down on the seafloor. The effects of these microplastics differed depending on the makeup of marine sediments, but were always disruptive. The authors of the study say that polyester microfibre pollution is causing profound ecological harm by interfering with natural cycling processes in coastal ecosystems that are important for supporting life on Earth.

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Research Elsevier, Web page

Journal/
conference: Marine Pollution Bulletin

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Florida, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of Cape Town

Funder: This work was supported by the Microphytes and Microplastics project.

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