The influence of drill cuttings on physical characteristics of phytodetritus

► Phytodetrital aggregates scavenge drill cuttings in the vicinity of drilling wells. ► Scavenging of drill cuttings alters hydrodynamic characteristics of phytodetrital aggregates. ► Composition of drill cuttings influences the rate of their incorporation into aggregates. ► Local effect on carbon transport rates and food availability at the drilling operation sites. ► Aggregation processes should be accounted in drilling waste dispersal models.