Microplastic abundance and accumulation patterns in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) meadows throughout coastal Massachusetts, USA.

Abstract

Microplastics are fast-emerging as another potential threat to already globally declining seagrass ecosystems, but there is a paucity of in situ surveys showing their accumulations. Here, we surveyed multiple Zostera marina L. meadows in 2020 and 2021 across Massachusetts, USA, for microplastic contamination, as well as identified factors related to patterns of accumulation. We found that microplastics were ubiquitous throughout all sites regardless of proximity to human development, with fibers being the most common microplastic type. In addition, we showed that accumulation of microplastics within seagrass meadows was related to epiphytic cover on leaves, plant morphology, and bulk-density in sediments. The results of this study provide the first in situ baseline microplastic concentrations on Z. marina plants and sediments for the temperate western North Atlantic. Additionally, we identify specific biotic and abiotic factors related to patterns of microplastic accumulation in these ecosystems.