Aron Stubbins

Pollutants continue to accumulate in ocean waters but can be hard to track. Research reveals that diverse classes of organic pollutants are widespread throughout the ocean and are now a significant component of the marine carbon pool.

Marine plastic pollution is a growing problem threatening ocean ecosystems. Now research explores how these plastics may be impacting the ocean’s ability to offset anthropogenic carbon emissions.

Arising from Y. Qi et al. Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18808-8 (2020). The heating and partial combustion of organic matter produces a continuum of organic compounds ranging from partially altered, biolabile molecules to highly refractory graphite1. The apparent biolability of compounds formed at lower charring temperatures (<300 °C)2 is akin to the process of humans cooking food to improve digestibility and nutrient absorption.