For a long time, people have imagined scary creatures or secret places hidden deep in the ocean. But the truth is even more worrying than any sea monster story.
Hello, everyone! Jules here for DNews. Let’s dive into the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, which goes down about 36,000 feet. You might think that such a remote place would be untouched by humans, but sadly, that’s not true. The ocean floor is more polluted than some of the dirtiest places on land.
When scientists sent a probe into the Mariana Trench, they found trash like beer cans, plastic bags, and even an unopened can of SPAM at 16,000 feet deep. This garbage can stay there forever unless we remove it. Plastics are especially tough because they are made of strong carbon bonds that don’t break down easily. Although scientists found a microbe in 2016 that can break down a specific type of plastic, it’s not a complete solution.
There’s more to worry about than just trash. In late 2016, a study in the journal Nature found that small creatures called amphipods living in the deepest ocean trenches were contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These chemicals don’t break down easily and are very hard to remove. Some of these pollutants, like polychlorinated biphenyls, have been banned for decades because they can cause birth defects and cancer.
The level of POPs in these amphipods was 50 times higher than in one of China’s most polluted rivers and similar to levels in Suruga Bay, Japan, known for industrial waste. How did these pollutants get so deep? One idea is that they come from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a huge area of floating trash in the Pacific Ocean. Plastics and chemicals from there might sink to the ocean floor.
Another theory is that these pollutants enter the food chain. Amphipods eat dead animals like dolphins or whales that sink to the ocean floor. If these animals lived in polluted waters, they could carry contaminants that stay in the food chain. However, the study suggests that pollution at different depths makes this less likely.
No matter how the POPs got there, they are a big problem for humans and marine life. If these chemicals get into our food supply, they can harm us. Ocean pollution also reduces oxygen levels, causing many marine species to die. Some chemicals can affect reproduction, threatening the survival of various species.
For centuries, people have dumped waste into the ocean, thinking it would just disappear. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pointed out that this “out of sight, out of mind” approach is damaging ocean life and putting human health at risk.
It turns out that nowhere is safe from pollution, not even the deepest parts of the ocean.
We can’t have DNews episodes without our sponsors. Thanks to Graze for sponsoring this episode. Graze offers a variety of nutritious snacks made from wholesome ingredients. Visit graze.com and enter promo code DNEWS for a free sampler box delivered to your home or workplace.
Curious about what lives in the deepest parts of the Earth? We have a video about that. If you have any questions about oceans, pollution, or science, let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more DNews every day!
Use clay or playdough to create a model of the ocean floor, including features like the Mariana Trench. Label different parts and discuss how pollution can affect these areas. This hands-on activity will help you visualize the depth and complexity of ocean environments.
Choose a specific pollutant mentioned in the article, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and research its effects on marine life and humans. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how these pollutants reach the ocean and their long-term impact.
Participate in a class debate on potential solutions to ocean pollution. You will be assigned a role, such as a scientist, environmental activist, or industry representative, and argue your perspective on how to address the issue effectively.
Create a poster or digital presentation aimed at raising awareness about ocean pollution and its dangers. Focus on educating the public about the impact of persistent organic pollutants and suggest actionable steps people can take to reduce pollution.
Conduct a simple experiment to simulate how pollutants spread in water. Use a clear container filled with water and add small amounts of oil, plastic pieces, and food coloring to represent different pollutants. Observe and discuss how these substances interact and affect the water environment.
For centuries, we’ve been warned about the dangers that lurk deep below the ocean’s surface. Perhaps there are horrifying creatures or hidden lairs. However, the reality is even more concerning.
Hello, everyone! Jules here for DNews. The Mariana Trench is the deepest known part of the ocean, reaching roughly 36,000 feet. You might think that at such depths, the ocean floor would be pristine and untouched by human activity. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The bottom of the ocean is heavily polluted, more so than some of the most contaminated regions on the surface.
One probe into the Mariana Trench found physical remnants of garbage just 16,000 feet down. Items like beer cans, plastic bags, and even an unopened can of SPAM were discovered along the trench’s wall. Unless removed, this trash can remain there indefinitely, accumulating over time. Plastics, for instance, are made up of strong carbon bonds that are resistant to breakdown by organic organisms. The material hasn’t existed in nature long enough for any organisms to evolve that can break it down. In 2016, scientists identified one type of microbe that can degrade a specific type of plastic, but that’s a limited solution.
Beyond the physical trash problem, there’s an even deeper issue. In late 2016, a study published in the journal Nature examined the inhabitants of two of the world’s deepest oceanic trenches. Small crustaceans called amphipods were found to be contaminated by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These pollutants do not break down in their environment and are nearly impossible to remove. They include chemicals that have been banned for decades in the United States, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, which are known to cause birth defects and cancer.
The concentration of POPs in these amphipods was found to be 50 times greater than in one of China’s most polluted rivers, and comparable to that of Suruga Bay in Japan, an industrial waste dumping ground. So, how did this pollution reach such depths? Researchers suggest it may be related to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive floating collection of debris in the Northwest Pacific Ocean near the Mariana Trench. Plastics and other chemicals can sink to the ocean floor from there.
Another theory is that the pollution results from chemicals entering the food chain. Amphipods are scavengers, and when larger animals like dolphins or whales die, they sink to the ocean floor. If these animals lived in polluted waters, they could carry contaminants that persist in the organisms that consume them. However, the study indicates that consistent contamination at different depths makes this theory less likely.
Regardless of how the POPs reached the depths, their persistence in the food chain poses a significant problem for humans. If these chemicals accumulate in our food supply, they can contaminate it with harmful substances. This pollution is detrimental not only to us but to all marine life. Ocean pollution reduces oxygen levels in the water, leading to mass die-offs of marine species. Certain chemicals can also cause reproductive issues, threatening the survival of various species.
For centuries, society has dumped vast amounts of waste into the ocean, including industrial waste, radioactive materials, and sewage. The EPA has stated that waste was often dumped in marine waters under the assumption that the ocean could disperse it without consequence. However, we are now realizing that this is not the case. The “out of sight, out of mind” mentality is harming ocean creatures and endangering human health.
It turns out that no place is safe from pollution, not even the deepest parts of the ocean.
We can’t have DNews episodes without our sponsors. Thanks to Graze for sponsoring this episode. Graze offers a variety of nutritious snacks made from wholesome ingredients. Visit graze.com and enter promo code DNEWS for a free sampler box delivered to your home or workplace.
So, what actually lives in the deepest parts of the Earth? We have a video about that. If you have any questions about oceans, pollution, or science, let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more DNews every day!
Ocean – A large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth’s surface and is home to a wide variety of marine life. – The ocean is crucial for regulating the Earth’s climate and supporting marine biodiversity.
Pollution – The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, which can damage ecosystems and harm living organisms. – Pollution from factories and vehicles can lead to serious health problems for both humans and wildlife.
Plastics – Synthetic materials made from polymers that are widely used but can cause environmental harm when not disposed of properly. – Plastics in the ocean can break down into microplastics, which are ingested by marine animals.
Microbes – Microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that play essential roles in ecosystems, including decomposition and nutrient cycling. – Microbes in the soil help decompose organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.
Amphipods – Small, shrimp-like crustaceans found in marine and freshwater environments, often playing a role in the food chain. – Amphipods are an important food source for many fish and birds in aquatic ecosystems.
Pollutants – Substances that contaminate the environment, causing harm to ecosystems and living organisms. – Industrial pollutants can lead to the degradation of water quality in rivers and lakes.
Marine – Related to the sea or ocean, especially concerning the plants and animals that live there. – Marine ecosystems are diverse and include coral reefs, kelp forests, and open ocean habitats.
Chemicals – Substances with a distinct molecular composition that are produced by or used in a chemical process. – Chemicals from agricultural runoff can lead to the growth of harmful algal blooms in water bodies.
Waste – Unwanted or unusable materials that are discarded after primary use, often contributing to environmental pollution. – Proper waste management is essential to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment.
Food – Any nutritious substance that organisms consume to maintain life and growth. – The food web in an ecosystem illustrates how energy is transferred between different organisms.
