Dr Alan Jamieson, who led the study, said the findings were startling and proved that nowhere on the planet was free from plastics pollution. 'Extraordinary' levels of pollutants found in 10km deep Mariana trench Read more“There is now no doubt that plastics pollution is so pervasive that nowhere – no matter how remote – is immune,” he said. Earlier this year scientists found plastic in 83% of global tapwater samples, while other studies have found plastic in rock salt and fish. Humans have produced an estimated 8.3bn tonnes of plastic since the 1950s and scientists said it risked near permanent contamination of the planet. These range from seven to more than 10 kilometres deep, including the deepest point in the ocean, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench.

Source: The Guardian November 15, 2017 12:11 UTC