Data from: Seafloor microplastic hotspots controlled by deep-sea circulation

While microplastics are known to pervade the global seafloor, the
processes that control their dispersal and concentration in the deep sea
remain largely unknown. Here we show that thermohaline-driven currents,
which build extensive seafloor sediment accumulations, can control the
distribution of microplastics and create hotspots of up to 1.9 million
pieces m^2. This is the highest reported value for any seafloor setting,
globally. Previous studies propose that microplastics are transported to
the seafloor by vertical settling from surface accumulations; instead we
demonstrate that the spatial distribution and ultimate fate of
microplastics is strongly controlled by near-bed thermohaline currents
(bottom currents). These currents are known to supply oxygen and nutrients
to deep sea benthos suggesting that deep sea biodiversity hotspots are
also likely to be microplastic hotspots.