The alert of the ocean depths: know the history of Eurythenes plasticus

Eurythenes plasticus is a species of amphipoda discovered in 2015, during a study that drew attention to the increasing impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems. Its scientific name alludes to "plastic", and this is due to the fact that at the time of its discovery it was already found to be contaminated with microplastics in its body, noting the ubiquity of this material  (Weston et al., 2020).

Amphipods are small crustaceans that can be observed with the naked eye, their sizes vary from 1 to 20 centimeters (Oliveira, 1953). E. plasticus is physically very similar to a shrimp, with a slender body, robust shell and long antennae, typical of species living in abysmal areas. It had its size described from 15 to 48 mm, being the average of 15 mm for juvenile individuals and 48 mm for an adult female, having a very diverse diet, being able to eat everything that is available in their environment, including plastic (Weston et al., 2020)

Caption: Photograph of E. plasticus species: representation of a female of 6865m (top), juvenile paratype of 6865 m (bottom left), male paratype of 6010 m (bottom right). Source: Weston, 2020.

In a 2021 study, a group of researchers found the presence of polyethylene terephthalate particles (commonly called PET), a very common material in bottle production, in the intestines of individuals of this species (Weston et al., 2020). The plastic ingested by these animals probably originates from wastes that were carried away by sea currents or originated from anthropogenic activities, such as fishing and inappropriate waste disposal (Elias, 2015). Over time, plastics fragment into smaller particles, called microplastics (Olivatto, 2018), which can be consumed by a wide range of individuals, and as can be found in the study by Weston and collaborators, even the organisms that inhabit the depths can be contaminated. 

Caption: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microfiber found in the intestine of an individual of E. Plasticus. in the Marianas pits. Source: Weston, 2020.

The ingestion of microplastic by organisms such as E. plasticus can have serious consequences for the health of these animals and, consequently, for the entire marine ecosystem (Weston, 2020). The ingested particles can cause gastrointestinal obstruction, reducing the ability to digest, compromising the nutritional status of these individuals and interfering with their buoyancy and swimming behavior (Silva, 2021). 

Microplastics (MP) are plastic fragments with sizes less than 5 mm, still have characteristics such as high resistance to degradation, fixation of chemical and biological contaminants on their surfaces and a high dispersion throughout the environment, mainly due to its size and degradation capacity (Batista, 2023). Plastics in addition to releasing PM, can also release toxic compounds such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), both harmful to the health of marine organisms, which can accumulate along the food web due to its bioaccumulation, reaching humans with great carcinogenic potential  (Edaes and Souza, 2020).

The presence of plastics in the ocean depths, as evidenced by the discovery with E. plasticus, underlines the urgent need for action to combat pollution (Weston, 2020). Several international organizations have been alerting about the environmental impacts from plastic contamination and encouraging public policies and sustainable practices that seek to reduce the use of this material, promoting recycling, increasing awareness of the use and encouraging the alternative with biodegradable plastics, as the actions promoted by the United Nations (UN) (Coutinho et al., 2004).

E. plasticus represents not only an interesting scientific discovery, but also a warning about the growing threat of plastic pollution, which has reached abyssal regions (Weston, 2020). Its existence reinforced the need for new measures and innovative technologies to replace the use and removal of plastics in these areas, as well as to encourage projects that combat the cause, such as the TAMAR project, which plays a very important role in raising awareness about the impacts of ocean pollution and engaging local communities in conservation actions (Suassuna, 2004). Organizations such as The Ocean Cleanup have also excelled in developing systems to remove plastics from the seas, while projects like Sea Shepherd work directly on marine waste removal and biodiversity protection (Morrison, 2019; Diogenes, 2024). Increasing education and awareness, through campaigns and programs such as these organizations propagate, is essential for the population to understand the seriousness of the problem and engage in effective solutions to mitigate plastic pollution.

Caption: Aerial photograph of a garbage interceptor located in Sandy Gully, Australia. Source: The ocean Cleanup, 2020.

Author: Victor Silva Lucino - GEAS Brasil President

Review: Iago Junqueira - GEAS BRASIL partner by The Wild Place

Savage Panel from April/2025

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