Microplastics
Description | Partners | Photos
Description
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is leading efforts within NOAA on the emerging issue of microplastic (≤ 5mm) marine debris. Standardized field methods for collecting sediment, sand, and surface water microplastic samples have been developed and are undergoing further testing in the Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound, in partnership with the lab of Dr. Joel Baker at the University of Washington Tacoma. This project, funded through the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, determined a relatively simple, cost-effective, and unbiased laboratory method to estimate the quantity of three plastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinylchloride) in environmental samples. This method has also been applied to common personal care products that contain polyethylene. Eventually, field and laboratory protocols will allow for global comparisons of the amount of microplastics released into the environment, which is the first step in determining final distribution, impacts, and fate.
Ongoing research in this collaboration focuses on determining the applicability of the developed microplastic quantification method to laboratories across the world. An intercalibration study is currently underway and will allow additional laboratory testing and practical input from scientists. To build on the initial microplastics quantification method, a new project with the University of Washington Tacoma (Joel Baker and Julie Masura) and the University of Washington (Giora Proskurowski) will investigate qualitative aspects of individual plastic debris particles, including size and shape in addition to polymer composition using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (ATR). The goal is to refine the initial quantification method to provide more information about individual particles, as well as note any relationships concerning particle size, shape, and polymer type.
Partners
- University of Washington-Tacoma: Joel Baker, PhD
- University of Washington: Giora Proskurowski, PhD
Results
International Research Workshops
In order to address the specific research issue of microplastics in the marine environment, the NOAA Marine Debris Program and the University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) coordinated two meetings that brought together scientific experts from around the world with expertise in the varied topics related to microplastic marine debris.
The first research workshop was held September 9-10, 2008 on the UWT campus in Tacoma, WA. The goals of this workshop were to synthesize what is known about microplastics in the marine environment, and to discuss possible research initiatives to move the science of this field forward while addressing the most critical research gaps. More information on this workshop, including the proceedings document, can be found here.
The second research workshop on microplastics, focused on framing the microplastics debate in a risk assessment framework, was held in November 2010 just prior to the SETAC North America meeting. More information on this workshop, including the proceedings document, can be found here.
Photos
Plastic marine debris collected from the southeast shore of the Big Island of Hawaii, HI. Credit: NOAA Marine Debris Program
Pre-production plastic pellet debris found on Waimanalo Beach, Hawaii. Credit: NOAA Marine Debris Program
