Science Inventory

Quantification of microplastics in sediments from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA using a novel isolation and extraction method

Citation:

Cashman, M., T. Langknecht, D. El Khatib, R. Burgess, T. Boving, S. Robinson, AND K. Ho. Quantification of microplastics in sediments from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA using a novel isolation and extraction method. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 174:113254, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113254

Impact/Purpose:

Microplastics are small plastic particles found in marine environments, including sediments. In this study, a new method was developed to extract and isolate microplastics from marine sediments. This method was then used to extract and identify microplastics from sediments in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA. The concentration of microplastics ranged from 40 particles-4.6 million particles per 100g sediment sample. This research objectives are two-fold. First, to publish a method that extracts microplastics from sediments, and secondly, to highlight the abundance and variability of microplastics in sediments from Rhode Island, USA. This research will serve federal agencies, states, tribes, and academic institutions wishing to isolate microplastics from sediments. The results are some of the first data for microplastic abundance in Rhode Island.

Description:

Microplastics are small plastic particles found ubiquitously in marine environments. In this study, a hybridized method was developed for the extraction of microplastics (45–1000 μm) from sediments using sodium bromide solution for density separation. Method development was tested using spiked microplastics as internal standards. The method was then used to extract microplastics from sediments in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA. Suspect microplastics were analyzed with Raman spectroscopy. Microplastic abundance ranged from 40 particles/100 g sediment to 4.6 million particles/100 g sediment (wet weight). Cellulose acetate fibers were the most abundant microplastic. These results are some of the first data for microplastics in Rhode Island sediments.