Mariana Trench Polluted By Toxins
You’d think that some place as deep as the Mariana Trench, 26,000 to 36,000 feet under the surface, would still be untouched by humanity. A recent study published by Nature Ecology & Evolution, however, shows that these extensive ecosystems are bustling in deadly chemicals, mnn.com announced.
Led by Alan Jamieson of Newcastle University in England, a crew of researchers set out a remote controlled vehicle with bait traps into the trench at 30,000 feet under sea level, theguardian.com reports. They then caught many small crustaceans called amphipods and found out that these creatures contained way more toxins than other sea life living in some of the most polluted oceans.
“In fact, the amphipods we sampled contained levels of contamination similar to that found in Suruga Bay, one of the most polluted industrial zones of the northwest Pacific. What we don’t yet know is what this means for the wider ecosystem and understanding that will be the next major challenge.” Jamieson said in a statement for mnn.com.
According to theguardian.com, the toxins they found in the creatures included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These chemicals were used for four decades until they got banned in 1970. Some of these chemicals got dumped into the ocean, and never decomposed as it is resistant to natural degradation.
Another theory that scientists have is that the pollution is a result of deep sea creatures consuming contaminated carcasses of animals and plastic debris, reported mnn.com. “The fact that we found such extraordinary levels of these pollutants in one of the most remote and inaccessible habitats on Earth really brings home the long-term, devastating impact that mankind is having on the planet,” Jamieson explained. “It’s not a great legacy that we’re leaving behind.”
Very well written, Miss Palafoutas. And very unfortunate situation for the animals of our oceans. So sad.
Very well written, Sabrina!!! I look forward to reading all your articles!!! Keep up the good work!
Love,
Your cousin in Tennessee, Patricia Irvin😘
This article was well written and informative.
This is very informative. Thank you for putting this up.
I was surprised to learn that the Mariana Trench was infested with chemicals.
I enjoyed reading this article because I got to learn more about deep sea life. Well done!
This article truly depicts how humanity has the power to shape the world and its ecosystems, using details and facts to support it.
Great job Sabrina! I think that it is great that you included all of this information regarding the marine life and the toxins harming them.
That is really sad. 🙁
I was surprised to know that these creatures contain more toxins than some creatures in the most polluted oceans.
This article was very well written and factual.
Thank you for letting us know about these small crustaceans and how they contain a lot of toxins. Great Job!
Wow, it is so said to think that no place on Earth is safe from the harmful chemicals that we humans have created.
This article is very informative.
I enjoyed reading your article because I am now more aware about this topic
I was surprised that a body of water this big was polluted with dangerous chemicals from the 70’s.
So cool that its amazing and cool
This article clearly shows how humans like us are slowly destroying our own home if we don’t stop polluting it.
Very interesting and well made article.
wow i didn’t know that about these creatures
This was so interesting to read. It is so crazy that there is so much in the ocean that we do not know!
I was surprised to learn from reading your article that these extensive ecosystems are being infested with chemicals.
This is so sad.. I really liked the description of what was being used to hurt these poor little creatures. Hopefully there is something we can do about it.
I really enjoyed your article and now I know not to swim in the Mariana Trench.
This article is really fascinating! Great job!
very well written and very informative