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Microplastic in two South Carolina Estuaries: Occurrence, distribution, and composition
Summary
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.