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A deposition baseline for microplastic particle distribution in an estuary
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Researchers extracted and analyzed microplastics from archived sediment cores in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, finding that microplastic accumulation increased over time in proportion to national plastic production trends. The sediment record provides direct evidence linking plastic pollution to the trajectory of industrial plastic production since the 1950s.
We extracted and analyzed microplastics (MP) in archived sediment cores from Great Bay Estuary (GBE) in the Gulf of Maine region of North America. Results indicated that MP are distributed in GBE sediments, 0-30 cm, at an average occurrence of 116 ± 21 particles g-1 and that morphology varies by site and depth. Analysis by sediment depth and age class indicated that MP accumulation increased over several decades but recently (5-10 years) has likely begun to decrease. Hydrodynamic and particle transport modeling indicated that bed characteristics are a more controlling factor in MP distribution than typical MP properties and that the highest accumulation likely occurs in regions with weaker hydrodynamic flows and lower bed shear stress, e.g., eelgrass meadows and along fringes of the Bay. These results provide a baseline and predictive understanding of the occurrence, morphology, and sedimentation of MP in the estuary.
More Papers Like This
A baseline for microplastic particle occurrence and distribution in Great Bay Estuary
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers extracted and analyzed microplastics from archived sediment cores from Great Bay Estuary in the Gulf of Maine, finding an average of 116 particles per gram of sediment across depths of 0-30 cm. Historical data suggested microplastic accumulation increased over several decades but may have recently begun to level off.
A baseline for microplastic particle occurrence and distribution in Great Bay Estuary
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed archived sediment cores from Great Bay Estuary in the Gulf of Maine and found microplastics distributed throughout sediments at an average of 116 particles per gram, with accumulation increasing over several decades before showing signs of a recent decrease.
Microplastic pollution in salt marsh and urban tributary sediment cores of the River Thames estuary, UK: Spatial and temporal accumulation trends
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Researchers analyzed sediment cores from a salt marsh and urban tributary of the Raritan River estuary to reconstruct the historical record of microplastic deposition. Microplastic concentrations increased dramatically from the mid-20th century, corresponding with rises in plastic production.
Characterizing the temporal trends in the concentration and composition of microplastics over the 20th century to present in the Chesapeake Bay region
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Researchers analyzed sediment cores from intertidal wetlands and estuaries in the Chesapeake Bay region to reconstruct microplastic concentration and composition trends since the early 20th century, finding that abundance closely tracks historical plastic production rates with shifts in polymer composition reflecting changes in industrial use.
Multidecadal increase in plastic particles in coastal ocean sediments
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Analysis of dated sediment cores from the Santa Barbara Basin, California, showed a multi-decade increase in microplastic particle concentrations beginning around 1945 and accelerating in recent decades, mirroring the historical growth of plastic production. This sediment archive provides a clear record of how plastic pollution has progressively contaminated even relatively protected coastal marine environments.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.