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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.
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 Service Education Adventure (SEA) and Sound Experience, local boat-based environmental education groups in Puget Sound, Washington, to collect environmental samples and educate participants on marine debris environmental issues, specifically microplastics. Both groups were trained on how to collect microplastics in the field using a modified manta net, sending the samples to the Center for Urban Waters for analysis. Undergraduate student researchers participated in the program through assisting in training, demonstrating collection on vessels, and processing samples in the laboratory. This presentation will review the progress of development of these relationships, benefits of each group’s contributions, and challenges met during the partnerships.
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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.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.