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The concentration of microplastics compared to relative population proximity and basin residence times in Hood Canal and Whidbey Basin in Puget Sound, WA
Summary
This study measured microplastic concentrations in Hood Canal and Whidbey Basin in Puget Sound in relation to local human population density, finding higher plastic concentrations in more populated areas. The results reinforce that human activity is the primary driver of microplastic contamination in regional waterways.
Microplastics enter waterways due to humans, however water circulation \nand winds can have an effect on where they concentrate. Microplastic \nconcentrations are determined in Hood Canal and Whidbey Basin in Puget \nSound, WA during December 2016. Eight stations were sampled using a 335 μm \nManta Net towed from the R/V Barnes, then sieving water samples through a \n0.33mm mesh sieve. Remaining products were then rid of organics, placed in a \ndensity separator, dried, and extracted for microplastics. By comparing \nmicroplastic concentration to basin residence times and population density, the \nmain contributor to microplastic accumulation can be determined. Residence \ntime (determined by wind and circulation) is a more important indicator to \nwhere plastics will distribute in Puget Sound. Microplastic concentration ranges \nfrom 0.069 pieces/m3 in Whidbey Basin to 0.36 pieces/m3 in southern Hood \nCanal. The mass of microplastics at each station was strongly attributed to the \namount of Styrofoam present. This study acts as a baseline study for Puget Sound \nestuary and could help serve to understand where pollutant cleanups could be \neffective.
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