plastics

Scientist Spotlight – Dr Alice Horton

Dr Alice Horton

The visible effects of plastic entering the ocean are unfortunately all too clear to us. But what happens to it under the surface? And what is the impact on delicate ocean ecosystems?

Plastic-free July scientist spotlight – Meet a microplastics expert

Dr Mike Clare working in the NOC's British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility (BOSCORF)

The visible effects of plastic entering the ocean are sadly all too clear to us now, but what about the plastic we can’t see?

Microplastics accumulate in hotspots for deep-sea life

This diagram shows the likely sources, pathways and accumulation points for microplastics in the ocean.

Research published earlier in the week reveals that microplastics often accumulate on the deep sea floor in the same place as diverse and dense marine life communities.