Plastic inside a newly discovered creature from the deep

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.