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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/42021| Title: | Initial survey of microplastics in bottom sediments from United States waterways |
| Authors: | Wilkens, Justin L. McQueen, Andrew D. LeMonte, Joshua J. Suedel, Burton C. |
| Keywords: | Dredging Sediment Microplastics Marine Freshwater |
| Publisher: | Environmental Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | Miscellaneous Paper (Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)) ; no. ERDC/EL MP-21-14 |
| Is Version Of: | Wilkens, Justin L., Andrew D. McQueen, Joshua J. LeMonte, and Burton C. Suedel. "Initial survey of microplastics in bottom sediments from United States Waterways." Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 104, no. 1 (2020): 15-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-019-02762-3 |
| Abstract: | Given the reported extent of microplastics in the aquatic environment, environmentally relevant exposure information for sediments dredged by the US Army Corps of Engineers will lend context to the risks posed by this contaminant during dredging. We measured the occurrence, abundance, and polymer composition of microplastics in sediments collected from nine dredged waterways and two non-dredged reference areas. The number of particles in sediment samples ranged from 162 to 6110 particles/kg dry wt., with a mean of 1636 particles/kg dry wt. Fragments were the most prevalent shape observed among the 11 study sites (100% frequency of occurrence), followed by fibers (81%), spheres (75%), foams (38%) and films (34%). Based on analyses of chemical composition of the particles using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, polyethylene:propylene was the most common polymer type observed. Consistent with results presented by other investigators microplastic concentrations and polymer types in bottom sediments in this study were also aligned with the most widely used plastics worldwide. |
| Description: | Miscellaneous Paper |
| Gov't Doc #: | ERDC/EL MP-21-14 |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/11681/42021 http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/42021 |
| Appears in Collections: | Miscellaneous Paper |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERDC-EL MP-21-14.pdf | 781.12 kB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |