This study reveals that vast amounts of microplastics are buried in Arctic sediments, explaining the discrepancy in global marine plastic records. This finding highlights critical "missing" sinks in ocean pollution budgets, urging a reevaluation of environmental impact assessments. For open data, it demonstrates the necessity of integrating sediment sampling data into global datasets to correct reporting gaps. Understanding these hidden accumulations is vital for creating accurate, comprehensive open data frameworks that inform effective policy and mitigation strategies.

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Published on 2023-07-07