Fig. 1: A map to show the global spread of marine benthic invertebrates burdened with microplastics.

(a) The global distribution includes 412Â study locations (purple dots) that report the presence of microplastic in marine benthic invertebrates. Detailed panels of the North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean (b) and (c) South-East Asian regions show data spread. Colour shading depicts model100 predictions of microplastic particle distribution (number per km2; key located in China (Panel c)) and boundaries of biogeographical provinces (36,37 ocean boundary lines) are indicated. Maps were drawn using ArcGIS Desktop105 and country boundaries are provided by ESRI using data from Esri; Garmin International, Inc.; U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (The World Factbook); National Geographic Society.