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Microplastic prevalence at Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) spawning beaches on eastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
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Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in beach sediments at Pacific sand lance spawning, non-spawning, and non-sampled beaches on eastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. They found microplastics present across all beach types, raising concern about potential exposure of sand lance eggs to plastic contamination in the beach sediments where they are deposited. The study provides the first data on microplastic prevalence at sand lance spawning habitat on the Pacific coast of Canada.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of microplastics in selected sand lance “spawning” beaches (locations where sand lance eggs were observed), “non-spawning” beaches (locations where sand lance eggs were sampled but were not observed) and “non-sampled” beaches (locations that were not sampled for sand lance eggs) on eastern Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.
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Extent of microplastics in Pacific Sand Lance burying habitat in the Salish Sea
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This study assessed microplastic concentrations in sandy habitat used by Pacific sand lance in the Salish Sea, finding widespread contamination. Sand lance are a key forage fish species, and microplastic contamination in their habitat raises concerns about effects on the broader coastal food web including marine mammals and seabirds.
Plastic ingestion by Pacific Sand Lance (Ammodytes personatus) in the Salish Sea.
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This study found that 85% of Pacific Sand Lance fish sampled in a critical seabird habitat in the Salish Sea contained microplastics in their guts, with colored fibers being the most common type. The findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination moving through the marine food web in this ecologically important area.
Microplastic contamination in Auckland (New Zealand) beach sediments
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Researchers conducted the first large-scale investigation of microplastic contamination in beach sediments across 39 sites in Auckland, New Zealand, finding contamination at the majority of beaches surveyed. Mean abundance varied by coastal environment type, with estuarine and harbour sites generally showing higher concentrations than open ocean beaches.
Microplastics in Nearshore and Subtidal Sediments in the Salish Sea: Implications for Marine Habitats and Exposure
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Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations in nearshore and subtidal sediments across the Salish Sea, focusing on spawning habitats for forage fish species. They found microplastics at every sampling site, with microfibers being most abundant and significantly higher concentrations near urban areas in Puget Sound compared to the San Juan Islands. The findings indicate that forage fish and their eggs are likely exposed to microplastics in their critical nearshore habitats, with potential implications for the broader marine food web.
Survey of microplastics in a freshwater and saltwater ecosystem
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Researchers compared microplastic abundance in freshwater samples from Salish Creek and seawater samples from Jericho Beach in Vancouver, Canada, to assess plastic contamination across habitats used by migrating Pacific salmon. Using plankton nets and Proteinase-K digestion, they found microplastics at both sites and compared concentrations between the two habitats. The study provides baseline data on microplastic exposure in environments encountered by salmon along their migration route.
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.