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Sediment Microplastic Research at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Citation:
Ho, K., M. Cashman, T. Langknecht, S. Robinson, AND R. Burgess. Sediment Microplastic Research at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Annual Narragansett Bay Estuary Program Science Event: Macro to Microplastic in Narragansett Bay, Bristol, RI, October 07, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation shares information and the current status of microplastic research at the USEPA with RI and MA researchers. It allows us to develop local collaborations and networks in the plastics community and supports research in the Narragansett Bay Estuary.
Description:
Microplastic (MP) particles (5mm-1 nm) are ubiquitous and exponentially increasing in our environment. In aquatic systems, the majority of these particles are deposited in sediments through processes of aggregation, biofouling and settling. Once entrained in sediments, MP have been demonstrated to cause ecological damage. In addition, sediments may serve as MP sources during resuspension events. Despite demonstrated effects and known persistence, methods to extract and identify MP in sediments are still not mature. This presentation covers research performed under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s MP program with a focus on sediment research performed at the Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division in Narragansett, RI. Our program has focused on development of methods for extraction and identification of MP from sediments, citizen scientist procedures, and effects research for small MP and nanoplastics.
