Moving from a larger metropolis to British Columbia’s small remote community of Prince Rupert, North Coast Ecology Centre Society (NCECS)’s Coordinator, Brandie Loranger, was alarmed to see the amount of microplastic pollution along Canada’s northern coast. “I can't turn on the news or my phone without seeing something about plastic. The very thought that there's a whole bunch of it already in our bodies is terrifying,” she says.
Curious to learn how microplastic pollution may be affecting local communities and marine species and habitats, Loranger conducted a two-year community science-based microplastic pilot project with Ocean Diagnostics (ODI) to uncover microplastic sources in Canada’s North Coast and engage the local community in solutions.
Using Ocean Diagnostics’ Microplastics Community Science Toolkit, Loranger and a team of 10 volunteers conducted monthly microplastic surveys on seven local beaches to discover microplastic pollution trends over time and space.
To stop microplastic pollution at the source, decision makers need data on the sources and types of plastics being found. From the 104 total beach surveys completed, 534 microplastic particles were analyzed using Saturna, a first-of-its-kind Microplastics Imaging System. A subset of 261 particles was also sent to ODI’s microplastics laboratory to verify the plastic polymer types, providing essential clues about their sources.
“Lab analysis validation is important. Look at the movement that happened when BPA was found in plastic. If we uncover harmful chemicals in these microplastics, then we can try and mitigate that too.”
Loranger’s study found that the most common type of microplastic found in the region is fragments, broken down pieces of plastic from common larger items like containers, packaging, toys and appliances, that likely accumulated in local hot spots from ocean tide and currents. Drilling down the sources of those microplastics was more difficult because the lab results showed that the fragments had differing polymer types, with the most abundant being Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). The second most common polymer type was polyethylene (PE), a more flexible and cost-effective plastic used in many consumer and single-use items.
Another commonly found microplastic type was fishing line, which is not surprising in a community centered and reliant on fishing. The most polluted survey site was close to a boat launch and construction site. Loranger says it is likely that the sources include local construction and harbour activity, but with ocean tides and currents, it really requires further investigation.
“Everything has a place in the ecosystem, and without some of these critters, others wouldn't have things to eat,” Loranger explains. “Sea cucumbers—also called the vacuums of the sea—worm along the bottom filtering and eating. We have to keep our beaches clean. You're not going to have the beautiful stuff if it's covered in garbage.”
Despite growing awareness about the dangers of marine plastic pollution, Loranger still sees people dumping waste overboard their boats. NCECS’ aquarium houses a display about the issue that is discussed with visitors. Loranger emphasizes, “Public awareness seems to go a long way. We have a coastal conversation series that we do with the Ecology Center, and some of (the visitors) have jaw-dropping realizations.”
Loranger plans to use the uncovered data to further engage with local industries, including the docks, to work together on solutions to reduce microplastic pollution, particularly from fishing and construction. She praises the local community for being keen to help, with one local dock already actively involved with a recycling depot for fishing line where it’s melted down and made into recycled plastic items.
Emphasizing that the key to change is research and public participation to influence better practices, Loranger concludes, “If you're not going to be part of the solution, don't be part of the problem.”
Community science-based microplastics projects like this illuminate the importance of combining science and engagement to drive solutions for marine microplastic pollution.
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY
To start a microplastics study in your community, visit https://oceandiagnostics.com/microplastics-community-science-education