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Microplastic in two South Carolina Estuaries: Occurrence, distribution, and composition
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Microplastics were found throughout intertidal sediments of two developed estuaries in South Carolina, with higher concentrations near urban centers and sewage outfalls. The study provides baseline contamination data for two important US Atlantic coast estuaries and confirms that nearshore estuarine sediments in the southeastern US accumulate significant microplastic pollution.
Here we report on the distribution of microplastic contamination in two developed estuaries in the Southeastern United States. Average concentration in intertidal sediments of Charleston Harbor and Winyah Bay, both located in South Carolina, U.S.A., was 413.8 ± 76.7 and 221.0 ± 25.6 particles/m, respectively. Average concentration in the sea surface microlayer of Charleston Harbor and Winyah Bay was 6.6 ± 1.3 and 30.8 ± 12.1 particles/L, respectively. Concentration in intertidal sediments of the two estuaries was not significantly different (p = 0.58), however, Winyah Bay contained significantly more microplastics in the sea surface microlayer (p = 0.02). While microplastic concentration in these estuaries was comparable to that reported for other estuaries worldwide, Charleston Harbor contained a high abundance of black microplastic fragments believed to be tire wear particles. Our research is the first to survey microplastic contamination in Southeastern U.S. estuaries and to provide insight on the nature and extent of contamination in these habitats.
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Microplastic Field Survey of Charleston Harbor and Winyah Bay, South Carolina
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This field survey quantified microplastics in intertidal and subtidal sediments and the sea surface microlayer of Charleston Harbor and Winyah Bay, South Carolina, categorizing particles by type and size fraction. The data provide baseline contamination levels for these South Atlantic estuaries and show spatial variation in microplastic distribution across different depositional environments.
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Microplastic spatial distribution and polymer types were mapped in intertidal sediments of Portuguese estuaries, environments that act as transition zones between rivers and the sea. The study found both buoyant and non-buoyant microplastics accumulating in estuarine sediments, highlighting their role as microplastic sinks.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Microplastic Abundance in Estuarine Intertidal Sediments
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This study collected intertidal sediment samples from a sandy beach in Charleston Harbor estuary, South Carolina, every one to two days over a 17-day period to examine short-term temporal and spatial variability in microplastic abundance and distribution. The dataset characterizes how microplastic concentrations fluctuate over short timescales in estuarine beach sediments.
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This study examined microplastic contamination in estuarine and barrier island beach sediments in Virginia and North Carolina, USA, finding microplastics present at all 17 sites sampled. Fragment and fiber morphologies dominated, with polymer identification by pyrolysis-GC-MS and FTIR confirming a mix of common plastic types.
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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.