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Characterizing Microplastics of Surface Waters from the Puget Sound, Washington
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Researchers from the University of Washington Tacoma, working with an environmental education nonprofit, characterized microplastics in surface waters of Puget Sound using a community science sampling approach. The study adds to the growing body of evidence that microplastics are widespread in Pacific Northwest coastal waters.
Plastic marine debris is found in coastal and marine waters worldwide. There has been an increase in the study of microplastics, synthetic polymers < 5 mm, throughout the world. Researchers at the Center for Urban Waters, University of Washington Tacoma have collaborated with Sound Experience, a local boat-based environmental education group, trained by our research group on sample collection. This presentation describes the spatial distribution of microplastics from 2012 and 2013 surveys of waters from Puget Sound, Washington collected by Sound Experience. Undergraduate student researchers from the Center for Urban Waters analyzed the environmental samples using a wet-peroxide oxidation method. This survey measured variable concentrations of microplastics in this region’s surface water ranging from 0.05 to 31% microplastics of the dry mass with an average concentration of 7% microplastics of the dry mass.
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Volunteer microplastic sampling in Puget Sound: strategies for broad inclusion, education, and research
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This paper describes a volunteer microplastic sampling program in Puget Sound, Washington, examining strategies for community participation and data quality in citizen science monitoring of marine plastic pollution. The program demonstrates how broad public involvement can generate spatially extensive environmental data at low cost.
The quantification of microplastics along a primary Puget Sound river A study from headwaters to estuary
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This study quantified microplastic concentrations along a primary river in the Puget Sound watershed in Washington State, documenting abundance and polymer types at multiple locations. The results add to baseline data on freshwater microplastic contamination in the Pacific Northwest and highlight river systems as transport corridors for plastic entering Puget Sound.
Understanding Microplastic Marine Pollution with Citizen Science Partnerships
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Researchers at the University of Washington Tacoma partnered with boat-based environmental education groups in Puget Sound to train citizen scientists to collect microplastic samples using modified manta nets. The study demonstrates how citizen science partnerships can expand the geographic coverage of environmental monitoring while raising public awareness of marine microplastic pollution.
Exploration of Microplastics in the Lower Puyallup River Watershed
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This study surveyed microplastic abundance, types, and distribution in the lower Puyallup River watershed in Washington State, investigating the river's role in transporting microplastics toward Puget Sound. The work contributes baseline data on freshwater microplastic pollution in a Pacific Northwest watershed draining into a sensitive marine estuary.
Concentration of Microplastics in Beach Sediments Surrounding Seattle, Washington in the Puget Sound Estuary
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This study measured microplastic concentrations in beach sediments at 12 sites surrounding Seattle in Puget Sound, finding a total of 1,776 microplastic pieces per square meter across all sites with a weak relationship to nearby population density. The findings contribute to baseline data on microplastic contamination in an important Pacific Northwest estuary.
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.