Marine Debris and Microplastics

Marine Debris is recognized as a major issue for our oceans and other waterways. And while the oceans are often our primary focus for addressing this pollution challenge, directing our efforts towards the estuary and its tributaries is both accessible and impactful. If you consider that land is the largest source of marine debris, then the most effective way to stop the pollution is at its source. Marine debris is also a major source of microplastics. Our sampling protocol for marine debris is a way to remove and reduce these pollutant from the environment, and will contribute to ongoing research if you upload your data through the app listed at the end of the protocol. 

Microplastics is both an environmental and health issue. Most plastic as it ages, starts to break down into smaller and smaller particles. When a piece of plastic breaks down until it is < 5 mm in size it is called a "microplastic." Microplastics are widespread in the environment and have been measured in wildlife and humans through unintended consumption and inhalation. While our sampling protocol will not directly remove enough microplastics from the environment to reduce their pollution, it is extremely useful in helping us to better understand the scope of the problem.

MARINE DEBRIS: Just what is marine debris? It is human created solid persistent material that has entered our waterways, intentionally or otherwise, and remains in the system. Marine debris has been found throughout the Earth's waterways and is a major source of pollution worldwide. Plastics are a major category of marine debris but it also includes ceramic and glass, fabric, wood products and even metals. Many are persistent over decades and longer (see this chart). Microplastics are a type of marine debris that through time has broken into smaller and smaller pieces

Marine Debris 4 parts

Link to Marine Debris Protocol: The marine debris protocol shared here is adapted from the more extensive NOAA protocol. It has both field and classroom parts to it and includes identifying different sources of marine debris, collecting and sorting, graphing and concluding with a solution based discussion. We recommend printing and laminating the first 5 pages in color for use by multiple student groups. The rest of the protocol can be copied in B&W and will be used for recording data by each field group of students. This protocol is appropriate for any age group but note that it is not intended to replace any of the main core activities of the Day in the Life event, rather it is and additional activity that is available for those who would like to add this to their day at the water.

For an excellent overview on marine debris for Middle School or High School Classroom see this Ted Talk by Rachel Miller of Rozalia Project.

MICROPLASTICS: Sampling microplastics can be done at a variety of levels. The protocol provided here is an accessible and more affordable way to conduct microplastics monitoring with your students, however you can chose to simplify this even more depending on your students age, ability, time constraints and your overall resources. Whether you choose to follow the full protocol or just want to pull a plankton net through the water and use a microscope to see what microplastics you can find in your sample, any of this will be useful and informative for your students. We have included a set of resource slides that include Maija's slides from our workshop, an equipment list, reporting data sheets, the full sampling protocol, as well as slide images of  microplastics samples to support your classroom experience. If you need more support just let us know.