Microplastics and microfibers in surface waters of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California

Microplastics and microfibers in surface waters of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California

Despite a recent report of high concentrations of microplastics and microfibers in the mesopelagic waters of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), little is known about these particles in surface waters. From 2017 to 2019, we sampled two nearshore and two offshore locations within MBNMS us...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 165; p. 112148
Main Authors: Kashiwabara, Lauren M., Kahane-Rapport, Shirel R., King, Chad, DeVogelaere, Marissa, Goldbogen, Jeremy A., Savoca, Matthew S.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2021
Elsevier BV
Subjects:
Baseline studies
Bays
California
Environmental Monitoring
Marine debris
Microfibers
Microplastics
Monterey Bay
Nature conservation
Offshore
Plastic debris
Plastic pollution
Plastics
Pollution
Polyethylene
Polyethylenes
Polymers
Polypropylene
Sanctuaries
Seamounts
Surface seawater
Surface water
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water transportation
Wildlife sanctuaries
California
Monterey Bay
Microplastics
Surface seawater
Monterey Bay
Microfibers
Marine debris
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Summary:Despite a recent report of high concentrations of microplastics and microfibers in the mesopelagic waters of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), little is known about these particles in surface waters. From 2017 to 2019, we sampled two nearshore and two offshore locations within MBNMS using a manta trawl and analyzed these samples for microplastics and microfibers. We found an average concentration of 1.32 ± 0.70 (SE) particles per m3. We found the highest concentration of particles closest to shore, and the lowest concentration above the remote Davidson Seamount. Fiber-like debris was more common in offshore, as compared to nearshore, sites. Overall, particles in our samples were primarily buoyant synthetic polymers, including polypropylene and polyethylene. Our results provide baseline data on the degree of microplastic and microfiber pollution in MBNMS surface waters and confirm that this pollution can be found in waters from the surface to at least 1000 m depth. •First extensive sampling of MBNMS surface water for microplastics and microfibers (i.e., ‘particles’).•Nearshore Santa Cruz had highest concentrations (3.21particles/m3); offshore Davidson Seamount had lowest (0.26 particles/m3)•There was a higher proportion of microfibers at offshore sites compared to nearshore sites.•Polypropylene and polyethylene were most common polymers identified using FTIR.•Overall, concentrations (1.32 particles/m3) were similar to other studies of surface seawater both regionally and globally.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112148