UNveiling microplaStic abundancEpattErNs on a pristine Cold Water Coral reef

The aim of UNSEEN project is to assess the presence and the spatial distributionof microplastics in different environmental compartments (water, seafloor, biota) of the Cabliers Coral Mound Province. This aim will be pursued through the collection of sedimentological, biological data and water samples during the OASIS research cruise and the achievement of thefollowing specific objectives:a) Identification and characterization of microplastics in surface and near-bottom water samples and assessment of relationships with hydrological characteristics;b) Identification andcharacterization of microplastics in sediment samplesand assessment of the relationships with sedimentological characteristics and near bottom hydrodynamics;c) Identification and characterization of microplastic in benthicorganismsincluding scleractinian corals and other cnidarian species associated to the reef.The ultimate goal of the project is to understand the influence of oceanographic and sedimentary processes on the transport and emplacement of microplastics in deep-sea environments and to assess potential impacts on key species representative of vulnerable marine ecosystems.

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