When we think of ocean plastic pollution, the image that often comes to mind is of floating debris - plastic bottles, bags, and other refuse drifting on the ocean’s surface, gathering in massive areas like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

However, the reality of ocean plastic pollution is far more complex and insidious.

While much of the plastic waste remains visible on the surface, an estimated 70% of ocean plastic sinks to the ocean floor, where it accumulates, creating an unseen crisis with devastating environmental impacts.

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The Hidden Depths: Plastic Pollution on the Ocean Floor

Where Does the Plastic Go?

Plastic, due to its varying densities and degradation processes, behaves differently once it enters the ocean. While some types of plastic float, particularly those with a lower density than seawater, a significant portion eventually sinks. Over time, plastic debris becomes waterlogged, biofouled (covered with marine organisms), or fragmented into microplastics, all of which increase its density and cause it to settle on the ocean floor.

According to studies, millions of tons of plastic waste have accumulated on the seabed, ranging from larger items like fishing gear and bottles to microplastics that are smaller than a grain of sand.

This plastic can be found even in the most remote and deepest parts of the ocean, including the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on Earth.

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The Scale of the Problem

It is estimated that there could be as much as 14 million metric tonnes of microplastics on the ocean floor alone, according to a report by Australia's national science agency, CSIRO.

This figure is alarming, especially considering that these microplastics are not just a localized issue but are dispersed throughout the global ocean, from coastal waters to the deep sea.

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The accumulation of plastic on the ocean floor represents an unseen crisis - one that is out of sight for most of the world and thus often out of mind.

However, the impacts of this hidden plastic pollution are profound and far-reaching, affecting marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the health of the ocean itself.

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The Environmental Impact: A Silent Threat to Marine Life

Disruption of Marine Ecosystems

The presence of plastic on the ocean floor disrupts marine ecosystems in several ways.

Larger plastic debris, such as discarded fishing nets (often referred to as "ghost gear"), can become entangled with coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other vital habitats. These entanglements can cause physical damage to the structures, leading to the destruction of habitats that are crucial for various marine species.

Moreover, plastic debris on the ocean floor can alter the sediment composition, affecting the organisms that live in and on the seabed. Benthic (bottom-dwelling) species, such as crustaceans, worms, and certain types of fish, rely on the seabed for food, shelter, and breeding grounds. The introduction of plastic disrupts these processes, potentially leading to reduced biodiversity and the collapse of local ecosystems.

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Impact on Marine Life

Marine animals that live on or near the ocean floor are particularly vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution. Species such as crabs, lobsters, and bottom-feeding fish can become entangled in larger plastic items or ingest microplastics, mistaking them for food. Ingested plastic can cause physical harm, such as internal blockages, and can also introduce toxic chemicals into the animals' bodies, which can accumulate over time and lead to long-term health issues.

The ingestion of microplastics by small marine organisms at the base of the food chain, such as zooplankton and benthic invertebrates, has a cascading effect on the entire marine ecosystem.

As these organisms are consumed by larger predators, the microplastics - and the toxins they carry - are passed up the food chain, ultimately reaching top predators and even humans who consume seafood.

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Carbon Sequestration Disruption

The ocean floor plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle, with sediment and marine organisms sequestering significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, the presence of plastic on the seabed can interfere with this natural process.

For example, microplastics can hinder the ability of certain marine organisms, such as marine worms, to burrow into the sediment, which is an essential process for carbon sequestration. Disruptions to this process could have broader implications for climate change, as less carbon is sequestered in the ocean.

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Why Microplastics Matter

Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

One of the biggest challenges in addressing plastic pollution on the ocean floor is that it is largely invisible to the public and policymakers. Unlike plastic floating on the ocean's surface, which can be seen, photographed, and used to galvanize action, plastic on the seabed remains hidden from view. This invisibility makes it difficult to convey the urgency of the problem and to prioritize the resources needed to address it.

However, the fact that this crisis is unseen does not diminish its severity. The accumulation of plastic on the ocean floor represents a long-term environmental threat that could have catastrophic consequences for marine ecosystems and the health of the ocean.

As the plastic continues to accumulate, the effects will become increasingly difficult to reverse, making it imperative to act now.

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The Path Forward: Addressing Plastic Pollution on the Ocean Floor

Prevention is Key

The most effective way to address plastic pollution on the ocean floor is to prevent plastic from entering the ocean in the first place. This requires a comprehensive approach that includes reducing plastic production and consumption, improving waste management practices, and increasing recycling rates.

Governments, industries, and individuals all have a role to play in making these changes.

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Innovations in Plastic Removal

While preventing plastic pollution is critical, efforts are also needed to remove the plastic that has already accumulated in waterways. Technologies for deep-sea clean-up are still in their infancy, but there are promising developments.

For example, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other advanced technologies are being explored for their potential to remove plastic debris from the depths of the ocean.

Software companies are also striving to make it even easier for businesses to contribute to ocean plastic removal efforts.

Ecodrive’s ecommerce plug-in allows companies to tie ocean plastic removal credits to customer actions like product purchases, email newsletter sign-ups, or reviews.

Making this type of impact as accessible as possible is hugely important.

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The Time to Act is Now

The extent of plastic pollution on the ocean floor is a stark reminder that not all environmental threats are visible. This unseen crisis is already having a profound impact on marine ecosystems and the species that inhabit them, and its effects will only grow if left unaddressed.

As we continue to fight plastic pollution on the ocean's surface, we must also turn our attention to the hidden depths below, where millions of tonnes of plastic are silently wreaking havoc.

By taking action now - reducing plastic use, supporting innovations in waste management, and advocating for policies that protect the ocean - we can help mitigate the damage and protect the marine environments that are vital to the health of our planet.

The ocean floor is just as much a part of the fight against plastic pollution as the surface, and it is up to all of us to ensure that this unseen crisis does not continue unchecked.

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Ecodrive allows you and your business to begin making an impact from the top down, removing ocean plastic from waterways, rivers, and oceans around the world.

Learn more about Ecodrive technology and how you can begin making a difference here.

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