The goal of this study was to access specific molecular information at the individual particle level to identify polymer debris and potential persistent organic pollutants (POP) in the natural environment. As such Pacific Ocean trawl samples, stomach contents of laboratory-raised fish as well as fish from the subtropical gyres and the Great Lakes, and beach sediments were analyzed using Raman micro-spectroscopy (RMS). Raman spectra of samples associated with biological material are frequently accompanied by broad autofluorescence backgrounds which tend to complicate the identification process. Therefore, an automated fluorescence removal algorithm was devised to aid the identification process. Pacific Ocean trawl samples containing plastics associated with fish collection sites were analyzed to determine types of polymers commonly present in the environment. The method of extraction of ingested polymers from fish stomach was evaluated using KOH versus ultrapure water in order to determine the optimal method of extraction. Pacific Ocean trawl samples yielded primarily polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) particles &gt;1 mm, PE being the most prevalent type. Additional microplastics (1 mm - 10 mm) extracted by filtration, included a polystyrene particle in addition to PE and PP. Flame retardant, deca-BDE was tentatively identified on some of the PP trawl particles. Polymer residues were also extracted from the stomach contents of Atlantic and Pacific Ocean fish as well as fish from the Great Lakes. Two types of polymer related debris were identified in fish stomach: (1) polymer fragments and (2) fragments with polymer and fatty acid signatures. A variety of particles were extracted from oceanic fish identified as potential plastic pieces based on optical examination. However, subsequent RMS examination identified them as various non-plastic fragments, highlighting the importance of chemical analysis in distinguishing between polymer and non-polymer residues.

Polymers and anthropogenic particles extracted from oceanic water, beach sediments, and fish stomach: Raman microspectroscopy study

2019 Fall National Meeting

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