In a stark reminder of the global scale of marine pollution, human-made debris has now been discovered at the Calypso Deep, the deepest point in the Mediterranean Sea, located at 5,112 meters beneath the surface. Researchers found a disturbing collection of 167 items at this extreme depth, primarily consisting of plastic waste, but also including glass, metal, and paper products. Plastic waste made up nearly 90% of the debris, illustrating the pervasive nature of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. The discovery is significant because the Calypso Deep, one of the most remote and isolated parts of the Mediterranean, was once thought to be beyond the reach of human-made waste.
The discovery highlights the vast extent to which marine litter has infiltrated even the most untouched corners of our planet. Despite being far from shore, the debris found at such a depth underscores how currents and other oceanic processes can carry pollutants to even the deepest regions. This pollution poses serious risks to marine life and ecosystems, with long-term effects on biodiversity and food chains. The presence of human-made waste in such remote areas further emphasizes the urgent need for more effective global action to combat ocean pollution and preserve the health of marine environments for future generations. More