Microplastics have become an increasingly large environmental concern due to the risks they may pose to aquatic ecosystems, as well as terrestrial species and humans as microplastics are transferred up trophic levels. This study aims to confirm the presence of microplastics (MPs) in surface water and zooplankton samples collected at ecologically and geographically significant sites in the Hudson-Raritan Bay area. Furthermore, MPs are enumerated for each sampling site using visible microscopy and characterized through the use of vibrational micro-spectroscopic techniques: Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) and Raman. The use of these complementary techniques enables confirmatory MP identification. In some cases, copolymers or surface contamination or weathering can be observed. For some sample size classes (&lt;250 microns), challenges include locating MPs on sample substrates and lengthy spectral data collection. These concerns will be discussed including the difficulty in identifying heavily weathered polymers and the high variability in sample properties (fragile nature, opaque vs. transmissive, etc.) and strategies to circumvent such issues will be suggested. For example, the use of an FTIR microscope with a focal plane array (FPA) detector has allowed for the relatively quick, automated collection of spectra across the surface of the sample substrate. This technique is particularly advantageous when examining MPs such as thin films that would be difficult to detect using a single-point detector due to their very low contrast and visibility against the sample substrate. Results will be presented on the relative concentrations of MPs found at each sampling site and correlations with relevant hydrodynamic properties, such as salinity. Additionally, results from zooplankton studies, including MP types, sizes and morphologies, will be discussed. These results will provide key insight into ingestion of MPs by biota, as well as regions of concern with regards to MPs entering the food chain.

Geospatial distribution and fate of microplastics in the Hudson-Raritan estuary

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.