Abstract
A size‐selective loss of smaller microplastics ( −3 ) and cellophane (density 1.42 g cm −3 ) were mainly consumed. Our data indicate that nonmigratory crustaceans had significantly higher levels of microplastic ingestion than migratory crustaceans at all depths available for comparison. While migratory fishes ingested microplastics at higher frequencies (0.28) than nonmigratory fishes (0.23), the frequency of microplastic ingestion by nonmigratory fishes increased with depth and was highest at depths of 1200–1500 m (0.40). Paired with the data for crustaceans, these observations suggest that plastic ingestion may be higher at deeper depths. Feeding strategy also appeared correlated to microplastic ingestion, as species that rely on gelatinous materials and marine snow for energy had the highest levels of ingestion. Altogether, our data highlight a largely undescribed temporary reservoir and implicate important biological transport pathways for the smaller plastic size fractions in the open ocean.