You've probably heard of the Pacific Garbage Patch, and other plastic debris in the ocean.
But have you heard of microplastics?
When larger plastic debris
like this breaks down in the ocean it degrades into microplastics.
Pesticides and other chemicals can be absorbed from the water into the microplastics and
animals that eat these microplastics can move the chemicals up the food chain
eventually affecting humans who eat seafood and other fish.
Our study has set out to look at different areas of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
to look at the densities of plastics.
We're looking at areas such as near
rivers and near sewer outfalls to see where the plastics come from and where
they concentrate.
We deploy our manta net off the side of the boat going about two
knots and leave it in the water for about half an hour using a flow meter to
determine the exact distance traveled.
After retrieving the net we rinse everything collected out of the cod end
and into sample jars for later detailed processing in the lab.
During the deployment, collection, and retrieval, detailed notes are taken regarding the
location and other important factors such as sea conditions.
After collecting our samples we have to analyze what we found.
Because not all microplastics are
visible to the naked eye we have to use a microscope.
Microplastics are classified by five types:
fragments, films, pellets, filaments, and foam.
We are still analyzing our data but past studies have shown that filaments from clothes are in
higher concentration near sewer outfalls.
We also expect to find more microplastics
where ocean currents congregate biological material.
So what can you do to help with this global issue?
First, you should limit your use of single-use
plastic products such as water bottles and plastic bags and recycle them when you can.
Also make sure you dispose of your trash properly so it doesn't end up in the ocean.
Lastly, help with your local beach cleanups and pick up trash
when you see it on the beach.