%0 conference lecture
%@ 
%A Pohl, Florian,Hildebrandt, Lars,Baker, Megan L.,Talling, Peter J.,Eggenhuisen, Joris T.,Hage, Sophie,Ruffell, Sean C.,Pröfrock, Daniel,Silva Jacinto, Ricardo,Heijnen, Maarten S.,Simmons, Stephen M.,Hasenhündl, Martin
%D 2025
%J EGU General Assembly 2025
%N 
%P  

%T Transport and Fluxes of Microplastics to Deep-Sea Sediments via Turbidity Currents through the Congo Canyon
%U 
 
%X Plastic pollution is a growing global concern, with significant implications for marine ecosystems. While microplastics (<5 mm) are abundant in marine environments, their transport pathways and fluxes to the deep sea remain poorly understood. Submarine canyons, such as the Congo Canyon, act as major conduits for sediment and associated pollutants, including plastics, to the deep-sea environment. These canyons are frequently flushed by turbidity currents, gravity-driven sediment flows capable of transporting vast quantities of material over long distances.
This study presents the first dataset directly measuring microplastics transported by turbidity currents in the Congo Canyon. A sediment trap moored 156 km offshore, at a depth of 2,172 m, captured sediments from eight turbidity current events occurring between September and December 2019. Microplastics were extracted and analyzed for their number, size, shape, and polymer composition using Laser-Direct Infrared-Spectroscopy (LDIR). Flux estimates were calculated to quantify the transport efficiency of these flows. 
The results demonstrate that turbidity currents are highly efficient in transporting microplastics, with concentrations reaching up to 13,266 particles per kg of sediment. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and rubber were the most abundant polymer types, likely due to their higher density and resistance to degradation. Variability in microplastic abundance across flow events appears to be influenced by differences in sediment sources and flow dynamics. Annual fluxes of microplastics transported through the Congo Canyon are estimated to be approximately 50,000 kg, underscoring the significant role of turbidity currents in redistributing microplastics on the deep seafloor. These microplastics may accumulate in canyon floors and distal lobes, forming potential sinks.