Fauna, Scuba News, Underwater Environment

Plastic inside a newly discovered creature from the deep

Listen to this article The ocean depths are still poorly explored and reveal new secrets every now and then. The bottom of the seas and oceans is inhabited by unknown and unusual species that have evolved to survive extreme pressure, low temperatures, lack of light and low nutrient availability. Unfortunately, even in such an inaccessible

ByMarcin Pawełczyk

Published: September 19, 2020 - 09:00

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 21:05

Plastic inside a newly discovered creature from the deep

Listen to this article

The ocean depths are still poorly explored and reveal new secrets every now and then. The bottom of the seas and oceans is inhabited by unknown and unusual species that have evolved to survive extreme pressure, low temperatures, lack of light and low nutrient availability.

Unfortunately, even in such an inaccessible place, which we are only just getting to know and where only a handful of explorers have so far managed to reach in specially constructed underwater vehicles, we find unwanted traces of human interference.

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Eurythenes plasticus, is a new species of amphipod described in 2020 by Newcastle University researchers based on a specimen caught in 2014 at a depth of 6010 – 6949m below sea level. The creature was given its unusual name because of the microparticles of polyethylene terephthalate – PET – discovered in it, which is used in clothing fibres, food packaging and bottles.

With this unusual name, scientists hope to draw attention to the growing problem of plastic pollution in the oceans and its impact on the environment, including those still waiting to be discovered and known.

About author

Marcin Pawełczyk

Marcin’s journey with diving has been an adventure. Starting as a recreational diver, he soon found himself drawn to the fascinating stories and mysteries of Baltic wrecks. After gaining experience, Marcin decided to go beyond just leisurely exploration and took his training up a notch by completing the TMX course, allowing him to explore even deeper and uncover the secrets of inaccessible places. His next challenge has been cave diving, where he is honing his skills to become a certified diver. Not content to simply take in the breathtaking beauty of underwater life, Marcin has also embraced underwater photography since 2018, capturing stunning shots that bring these worlds alive for those who are unable to experience them first-hand. Marcin’s passion for the underwater has taken him far and is sure to continue doing so as he dives into new depths and captures breathtaking images.