First results from the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center

Oct 02, 2023

First results from the Mid-Cayman Spreading CenterAs always, these are preliminary results. There's a lot more work left to do. 
Our first analysis from shrimp and gastropods at the deepest known vent system reveals that not only is microplastic accumulating within the tissue of vent-endemic organisms at the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center, but the deeper vent, Beebe (4960m), has higher levels of microplastic accumulation than the shallower vent, Von Damm (2350). 
 
Particles of microplastic per mg tissue (dry weight). Yes, it is a boring Excel bar graph. We need way more data before we commit to a more robust analysis. 
Rimicaris is the dominant, chemoautotroph-hosting shrimp at these vents. The gastropods are either Iheyaspira at Von Damm or Provanna at Beebe.

Sergio, WEEMING, and 1 other like this.

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About This Project

Establishing a baseline for microplastic accumulation in deep-sea animals using an historical sample archive

Blackbeard Biologic

The deep sea is recognized as a hotspot for microplastic accumulation. While we are beginning to understand how microplastics accumulate in deep ocean sediments, few studies have investigated microplastic accumulation within organisms at vents and seeps. Access to a unique archive of biological samples provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish a baseline for microplastic accumulation in hydrothermal vent and methane seep species.