Recent research, published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, has revealed an unsettling truth about the Mediterranean Sea’s hidden depths. In a study conducted by researchers using the submersible Limiting Factor, plastic waste was found in alarming quantities at the Calypso Deep, the lowest point in the Ionian Sea, located 16,770 feet underwater. This discovery adds to the growing body of evidence, including a 2021 study on the Mediterranean’s undersea garbage, that highlights the critical state of our oceans. What was once considered a remote and pristine area has now become an unexpected dumping ground for human activity, underscoring the widespread and often invisible nature of marine pollution.
Calypso Deep: A New Frontier of Oceanic Plastic Waste
The Calypso Deep, a kidney-shaped trench approximately 12.4 miles long and 3.1 miles across, is located 37 miles off the Peloponnese coast. It is in this deep abyss where scientists found hundreds of discarded items. The research team, using cutting-edge technology, made a stunning discovery—an ocean floor riddled with human waste. The debris is so dense that a single 2,130-foot line of sight revealed thousands of discarded items per square mile. Plastic bags, glass bottles, and metal cans, remnants of human life, now sit at the very bottom of one of the deepest points on Earth.
Dr. Miquel Canals, a leading researcher in ocean dynamics, explains that plastic waste in this area is not a mere byproduct of occasional dumping but a result of complex processes involving multiple sources: “It comes from various sources, both terrestrial and marine. It could have arrived by various routes, including long-distance transport by ocean currents or direct dumping.” This waste comes from nearby shorelines and, alarmingly, also from far-off regions, carried by currents that span vast stretches of water.
The Spread of Pollution: From Shoreline to Deep Sea
The Mediterranean’s unique geographic and ecological conditions exacerbate the extent of this pollution problem. Shaped by the intricate flow of ocean currents, plastic waste has the unfortunate ability to travel long distances, eventually making its way into the deepest pockets of the sea. According to Canals, “Some light waste, such as plastics, comes from the coast and escapes to Calypso Deep, just about 37 miles away.” As plastics such as bags and bottles drift along the seabed, they either remain suspended just above it, eventually sinking, or break down into smaller fragments, further compounding the problem.
The research team also observed the ongoing effects of boat traffic, with signs of direct human activity at the ocean floor. Canals describes this disheartening scene: “We have also found evidence of boats dumping bags of rubbish, indicated by piles of assorted waste followed by an almost straight furrow.” The impact of human negligence is evident in these patterns, as these debris patches persist in the deep, unable to escape the confines of the trench’s steep walls.
A Crisis with Few Solutions: The Call to Action
Despite growing awareness about marine plastic pollution, the hidden nature of the ocean floor makes it a difficult issue to address. As Canals notes, the ocean’s remote depths remain largely out of sight, and this lack of visibility creates an environmental blind spot. “Unfortunately, when it comes to the Mediterranean, it is fair to say that ‘not a single inch of it is clean,’” Canals states, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of human waste on even the most secluded corners of our planet.
The Mediterranean Sea, with its heavy maritime traffic, dense fishing activity, and geographical isolation, has become a focal point of global environmental concerns. The scale of the plastic crisis here is staggering, yet it remains largely invisible to the public. Canals urges all sectors of society to take responsibility for this growing problem. “Scientists, communicators, journalists, influencers – everyone with a platform – must work together. The problem is vast, even if it is not directly visible, and we cannot ignore it,” Canals implored. The message is clear: the solution to marine pollution will require a collective effort, from local communities to global governments.