ARE MEDICAL FACEMASKS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLYPROPYLENE FIBERS IN PLACENTIA BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND?

In the summer of 2021, concentrations of microplastic 300 - 5000 μm ranged from 0.11 to 0.67 particles m^-3 in the surface waters of Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. Transparent polypropylene (PP) fibers dominated by far, contributing 47% to total MP inventories, whereas transparent polyethylene (PE) fragments contributed 11%, blue PP fibers 6%, and white PE fragments 3%. The remaining 33% of microplastic particles consisted of a variety of fragments and fibers of different polymer compositions and colors, each individual group contributing < 3%. The clear dominance of transparent PP fibers, and the size frequency distribution of fibers, suggest a distinct input event of transparent PP fibers, overlaying the background microplastic signature. A back of the envelope estimate suggests that this signal is consistent with the accidental release of disposable medical facemasks during the COVID pandemic.  

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: Uta Passow, Memorial University Newfoundland (uta.passow@mun.ca)

Authors:

Uta Passow, Memorial University Newfoundland  (uta.passow@mun.ca)

Olivia Dillon, Memorial University Newfoundland  (oldillon@mun.ca)

Ina Benner, Memorial University Newfoundland  (ibenner@mun.ca)

Tatiana Zalizniak, Stoney Brook University  (tatiana.zaliznyak@stoneybrook.edu)

Carolina Cisternas-Novoa, Memorial University Newfoundland  (acisternasno@mun.ca)

Gordon Taylor, Stoney Brook University  (gordon.taylor@stoneybrook.edu)