Scientists exploring a deep-sea canyon off the coast of Argentina have found plastic bags, food packaging, fishing gear and an old boot thousands of metres beneath the ocean's surface.
The rubbish was discovered during the first expedition to capture images of the seafloor in the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon, in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.
Researchers say the findings provide further evidence that human-made waste is reaching some of the world's deepest and least-explored marine environments.
The international research team, led by Dr Daniel Lauretta of Argentina's natural science museum, conducted 17 dives using a remotely operated submersible during the summer of 2025.
After analysing about 240 hours of footage, researchers identified human-made debris during 10 of the 17 dives.
The study, published on Wednesday, also documented around 40 species that researchers say may be new to science.
Most were plastic, although rubber items were also recorded.
Researchers found some of the rubbish buried in sediment, while other items were trapped among rocks or had been drifting through the water.
Starfish and corals were found living on pieces of debris, including plastic packaging and fishing ropes, with some of the objects partially covered by marine life.
The researchers said that this should not be taken to mean human-made debris provides a suitable habitat for deep-sea species.
In the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon, the researchers believe its geography and currents may help explain why more debris was found inside the canyon than in nearby areas.
Just months before the 2025 expedition, a plastic bag was found in the Mariana Trench, the deepest oceanic trench on Earth.