Seafloor Plastics Survey 2020

Seafloor Plastics Survey 2020

A five-day expedition to asses the impact of plastics on the seafloor

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Overview

 

The Ranger is back at sea. For fifteen years, the organisation has explored the world’s oceans and always found litter at the bottom of the sea, even if that was not the main objective of the research. That is why now the Ranger and its crew go on a mission to conduct a five-day at-sea survey to assess the impact of plastics in the Mediterranean Sea, more specifically, around the area of Valencia (Spain). The research will focus on different marine habitats, from vulnerable features to sites expected to be heavily polluted, due to their proximity to highly touristic areas and heavily populated towns.

 

Context
The scope of ocean plastic pollution is large, it is estimated that only 1% of plastics are in the surface, whereas the majority of the remaining 99% end up in the deep sea[1]. Its presence in underwater ecosystems transforms these habitats from biodiversity hotspots to submarine landfills. Therefore, raising awareness and documenting plastic pollution beyond what is visible is essential. This research will be key to support our advocacy work in Europe in the coming months and continue campaigning for the reduction and replacement of single use plastics from our daily lives.

 

 

[1] Kane I.A., Clare M.A., Miramontes E., Wogelius R., Rothwell J.J., Garreau P. & F. Pohl. 2020. Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation. Science, 368: 1140-1145.

 

Oceana in Europe gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.

Diaries

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The Crew

Sergio Losada

Diver

Jorge Blanco

GIS and expedition logistics coordinator

Ricardo Aguilar

Expedition leader & senior advisor

Enrique Talledo

Underwater Photographer & Videographer

Juan Antonio Polo

Skipper

Cristina Urien

Cook

Jose Manuel Saez

ROV Pilot

Karina Erazo

Diver

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Oceana in Europe gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.

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