The Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the ocean, was once thought to be untouched by human activity. However, the discovery of a plastic bag at its bottom has shattered that belief, revealing the disturbing reach of plastic pollution.
Despite its remote location, the trench is home to diverse marine life—now threatened by plastic debris. A study found that 17% of plastic images in the Deep-Sea Debris Database showed harmful interactions with marine animals, such as ingestion and entanglement.
Shockingly, 89% of the plastic found there is single-use, mostly from land-based sources and rivers in densely populated areas. Discarded fishing gear and direct dumping from ships also contribute significantly.