Quantification of Micro-plastics From Beaches of Long Island and Connecticut

Abstract

Plastic debris in the oceans and on coastlines is of growing concern, with issues ranging from aesthetic to ecological. This research quantified micro- (0.5 – 5.0 mm) and macro-plastics (> 5.0 mm) in sediments collected from intertidal zones of eleven locations along the shores of Long Island and Connecticut. Shores surrounding the Long Island Sound estuary, ocean-facing beaches along the south shore of Long Island, and bays within Long Island were sampled. Three cores of ca. 265 cm3 were collected at five points along the wrack line. Recovered plastics included fragments, foam, fibers, beads, nurdles, and film. Foam constituted 94% of all plastic recovered. Ninety percent of all plastics were micro-plastics (< 5mm). In each of the four regions, eastern locations had the largest percentage of micro-plastics. The LIS-S region had the greatest density with 3.5 pieces of plastic per 10 g of sediment. The Bay region contained the lowest plastic density with 0.05 pieces of plastic per 10 g of sediment. Micro-plastic percentage increased along a West to East gradient. Understanding how plastics interact with the environment is a vital step in tackling the issue of plastic pollution.