Presence of microplastics in Salish Sea Nearshore sediments
Presentation Abstract
Plastic pollution is a well-recognized issue afflicting water bodies worldwide. Recently, there is an increased focus on understanding the fate and distribution of microplastics, synthetic polymers less than 5 mm in diameter. These small plastics pose a potential danger to biota through ingestion and as a possible vector for contaminant transfer. Currently, we know little about the distribution of microplastics in sediments in the Salish Sea. Additionally, methods to efficiently and reproducibly quantify plastics in sediments need improvement. The US Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Ecology and Washington State Department of Natural Resources, sampled 26 nearshore sediment locations in the fall of 2016 as part of the Regional Stormwater Monitoring Program. USGS analyzed microplastics in the samples, and results indicate the widespread presence of microplastics in marine sediments. Densities ranged from 2-65 pieces per 100 grams of sediment, and plastic fibers were 270% more abundant than other plastic material. Additionally, we found that small fibers, between 355 and 1000 µm, were 300% more abundant. This talk focuses on these results with consideration of how sediment drift relates to microplastic occurrence, steps taken to improve reproducible microplastic laboratory methods, and future directions for microplastic research in the Salish Sea.
Session Title
Plastic Pollution and Marine Debris in the Salish Sea: Monitoring, Education, and Management and Policy Solutions
Conference Track
SSE13: Plastics
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE13-266
Start Date
5-4-2018 1:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2018 1:45 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Microplastics--Environmental aspects--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Plastic marine debris--Environmental aspects--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Water--Pollution--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Marine sediments--Sampling--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
Geological Survey (U.S.); Washington (State). Department of Ecology; Washington (State). Department of Natural Resources
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Presence of microplastics in Salish Sea Nearshore sediments
Plastic pollution is a well-recognized issue afflicting water bodies worldwide. Recently, there is an increased focus on understanding the fate and distribution of microplastics, synthetic polymers less than 5 mm in diameter. These small plastics pose a potential danger to biota through ingestion and as a possible vector for contaminant transfer. Currently, we know little about the distribution of microplastics in sediments in the Salish Sea. Additionally, methods to efficiently and reproducibly quantify plastics in sediments need improvement. The US Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Ecology and Washington State Department of Natural Resources, sampled 26 nearshore sediment locations in the fall of 2016 as part of the Regional Stormwater Monitoring Program. USGS analyzed microplastics in the samples, and results indicate the widespread presence of microplastics in marine sediments. Densities ranged from 2-65 pieces per 100 grams of sediment, and plastic fibers were 270% more abundant than other plastic material. Additionally, we found that small fibers, between 355 and 1000 µm, were 300% more abundant. This talk focuses on these results with consideration of how sediment drift relates to microplastic occurrence, steps taken to improve reproducible microplastic laboratory methods, and future directions for microplastic research in the Salish Sea.
