Submerged in Plastic:

The Deep Sea's Hidden Crisis

The Sunlight Zone

The Twilight zone

0 to 1 Meter

Microplastics have not formed yet, plastic is just floating around and sinking slowly.

Impact:
Plastic bags and other trash collect in shallow waters where many sea creatures live. Animals like clownfish and sea turtles can get stuck in plastic bags or accidentally eat them. This can cause them to suffocate, have stomach problems, or even die. The trash also harms coral reefs, which are important places where sea creatures find food and shelter.

Sunlight and ocean waves break down plastics through a process called "weathering."

Impact:
Larger plastic items, like bottles and buckets, can trap or hurt marine animals, especially fish that live around coral reefs, like parrotfish. These fish eat algae, and floating debris can harm coral reefs, which are important homes for many sea creatures. When animals eat or get caught in plastic trash, it messes up their feeding and breeding, which can cause long-term harm to their populations.

Plastic is starting to break down at this level and is still sinking.

Impact:

At these depths, fish like bluefin tuna eat smaller fish that may have swallowed microplastics. These tiny plastic particles build up in the fish’s body and can cause health problems.

Scientists find it hard to study marine life as plastics and microplastics disrupt their data.

Humans are connected to the ocean’s food chain because we eat seafood. As plastic pollution increases in the ocean, tiny plastic pieces, called microplastics, enter marine animals and can end up in our food.

200 Meters

The Abyss Zone

The Midnight Zone

1000 Meters

Plastics break down enough to become microplastics

Impact:
Swordfish, which are top predators, can eat microplastics when they feed on smaller fish or squid. These tiny plastic bits can damage their stomach and build up in their bodies. This can also spread up the food chain, affecting other creatures.

4000 Meters

Microplastics became so small you could barely see them.

Impact:
In these deep ocean areas, creatures like vampire squid and lanternfish rely on food that sinks from higher ocean layers. Microplastics from the surface can end up in their food, which can harm them. Bigger plastic items, like nets and barrels, can trap these animals or mess up the food chain. This can harm the entire ecosystem, hurting many creatures in the deep ocean.

The Hadal Zone

6000 Meters

Microplastics are extremely small now and can easily be eaten by deep sea creatures. They are also extremely difficult to extract from this level.

Impact:
At these extreme depths, marine life is especially at risk from plastic pollution. Anglerfish, for example, might ingest microplastics or from smaller animals that have eaten plastics. Large plastic items can disturb the fragile ecosystems at the bottom of the ocean, moving animals around and making it harder to find food. As plastics build up in deep-sea creatures, it can harm their health and even affect entire species.