Advancing plastics research in the Chesapeake Bay
From October 21-31, the first leg of the Chesapeake Bay Plastic Survey went underway. This project is led by the Ocean Research Project, an Annapolis-based nonprofit specializing in research expeditions aboard their sailboat, Marie Tharp, to improve understanding of marine ecosystems. The survey crew included seven sailors and academics, with IAN science communicator, Lili Badri, on board to help with sample collection and promotion of the project across social media platforms. This survey was the first comprehensive assessment of plastics in the Chesapeake Bay and will serve to provide a baseline condition of plastic pollution in the Bay. Additionally, the project aims to create a method for plastic sampling that can be adopted by monitoring agencies so that there is long-term data available for its analysis as a Bay health indicator.
Chesapeake Bay Plastic Survey: Part 2
From March 16-25, the Ocean Research Project conducted the second part of their Chesapeake Bay Plastic Survey, following up on their October 2023 survey. In addition to measuring microplastic pollution levels across the Bay's mainstem and major tributaries, this research aims to develop a protocol for efficient, long-term monitoring of plastics across the Bay. There is a critical need to understand microplastic pollution's impact on water quality, and the implementation of a monitoring program can pave the way for the future development of a new indicator for the Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card. Insights from both surveys are invaluable for understanding microplastic abundance, types, and distribution. The second survey also featured a virtual crew, including IAN science communicator Lili Badri, facilitating real-time data analysis and science communication.