Even the deep ocean, far from human activity, is not immune to the problem of plastic pollution. In a study published on September 16 in the scientific journal Plos One, researchers described finding plastic debris as deep as the "Mar del Plata" submarine canyon, located in the southwest Atlantic Ocean, about 250 kilometers off the coast of Argentina. During 10 of 17 dives conducted between 800 and 3,900 meters below the surface using a remotely operated submersible, scientists identified 29 human-made objects made of plastic and rubber. These items, including plastic bags, food packaging, fishing gear, and even a boot, were likely carried from the land by water currents and funneled into the canyon by its unique geography. Some of the debris was buried in the ocean floor sediments, while others were wedged into rocks or floating freely in the water. The study also observed marine life interacting with the plastic debris. Sea stars and corals were found attached to the items, particularly plastic packaging and fishing nets. However, the researchers caution that such interactions do not imply that plastic waste is beneficial for marine ecosystems. They note that marine debris remains a significant human-caused disturbance that can alter habitats, change ecological relationships, and introduce harmful materials into environments that have evolved without such pollution. Plastic pollution poses serious risks to marine life. Animals can become entangled in fishing gear or suffocate after ingesting plastic pieces. It is estimated that between 5 to 13 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year, which represents 1% to 4% of the world's total plastic production. This problem is not limited to shallow waters—earlier in 2024, a plastic bag was found in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the world's oceans, nearly 11,000 meters below the surface. The discovery in the Mar del Plata canyon adds to growing evidence that plastic pollution is reaching even the most remote and extreme depths of the ocean.