Scientists have found evidence of human pollution deep in the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon off Argentina’s coast. A team used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to survey the area nearly 4,500 meters below sea level, discovering litter such as plastic bags and fishing gear scattered on the seafloor.
Lead researcher Daniel Lauretta emphasized that even remote environments are impacted by human activities. Co-author Diego Urteaga noted that the debris likely comes from offshore vessels. Despite some surprising finds, like a single boot, the overall amount of litter was lower compared to other submarine canyons.
Marine organisms were even seen attaching to the trash, potentially altering deep-sea ecosystems. This study highlights the need for preventative measures against ocean pollution and the importance of continuous monitoring to understand the impact of human activity on these ecosystems.
