Microplastic abundance throughout Puget Sound

Abstract

Microplastic pollution in the ocean is caused by the human population, and the way it transports throughout the water can be affected by numerous factors such as wind, tides, and residence times of the water. Microplastic concentrations were determined through sampling in multiple areas throughout Puget Sound: Admiralty Inlet, Hood Canal, Whidbey Basin, and the central basin during December 2017 and January 2018. The microplastic concentrations were compared to the multiple factors that could affect concentration (wind, tides, residence times and human population), and the concentrations were correlated with human population the most, out of all the other factors. This study can be used to help understand how plastic is distributed throughout Puget Sound, to help facilitate more efficient clean-ups in the area.