Microplastics, synthetic polymer particles less than 5 mm, have been identified as a global environmental concern. These materials have been found in rivers, lakes, and other water bodies including in diverse locations such as Arctic snow and Antarctic ice. The California Ocean Protection Council approved the first US microplastics reduction policy in March 2022. As noted by OPC and others, improvements in the scientific understanding of the impacts of microplastics on marine life and human health is needed as steps are made to mitigate future plastic pollution. A study from one of the largest metropolition areas in the United States: The New York Bight with inputs from the Hudson River (NY) and the Raritan River (NJ) was conducted and the results from this estuarine/coastal environment will be presented. Both water and zooplankton samples were collected across salinity gradients during high and low flow conditions. Microplastics ingested by the zooplankton were extracted using nitric acid and particles were found in all samples: averages ranging from 0.30 to 0.82 microplastic per individual zooplankton. Vibrational spectroscopy (ATR of particles in the 500-2000 μm range, microFTIR of particles in the 250-500 μm range and Raman spectroscopy of particles extracted from zooplankton) was employed to identify the polymer composition. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and polystyrene were the most commonly observed polymers across matrices. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy along with thermoanalytical techniques (differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis with IR of evolved gases) were utilized to identify microplastics with complex spectra (surface oxidized; containing additives: plasticizers, pigments; copolymers). The results will be presented to provide insight into potential mitigation strategies to reduce global microplastic pollution and entry into the marine food web.

Identification of microplastics in various environmental matrices

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

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