Scientists find microplastics in one of Earth’s most isolated ecosystems: Indian Ocean hit hardest with up to 14.7 times more particles than Pacific specimens

Microplastics have infiltrated remote deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems globally. A recent study found microplastics in ninety-two percent of examined deep-sea animals. Polystyrene was the most frequently detected polymer among the plastic particles found. Feeding behavior influenced microplastic accumulation within the animals’ bodies. Animals from the Indian Ocean showed significantly higher microplastic concentrations than Pacific specimens.