A collaborative study between Australian and Canadian researchers has found between 3 to 11 million tons of plastic on the ocean floor.

The degradation rate of plastic is slow in the cold, low-oxygen environments of deep waters, contributing to accumulation.

Remote underwater vehicles indicated that deep-sea plastic pollution might be up to 100 times worse than surface pollution.

Ocean floor plastic waste includes large debris like nets and bags, along with microplastics, posing a significant threat to marine life.

The study highlights the urgent need for action, as plastic usage is expected to double by 2040, potentially worsening the pollution crisis.

Findings aim to guide efforts in source reduction and remediation to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.