Citizen Scientists Gather for Plastics Summit
In May 2010, 80 volunteers involved in our Beach Sediment Survey, gathered for a Plastics Summit in Fort Worden. After four sampling seasons spanning two years, these hard-working Plastics Sleuths came together to talk about micro-plastics in our marine waters and on our beaches.

The Plastics Summit drew keynote speaker, environmental scientist Dr. Joel Baker from the University of Washington who shared the study he is doing in South Sound to develop sampling and quantification methods for documenting micro-plastics in seawater and in marine sediments. His initial findings show that small plastic debris is indeed floating on and below the surface of seawater in every area that he has investigated. Dr. Baker set the tone for the Summit by recognizing the mounting concern associated with the world’s use and disposal of plastics. But he also stressed the need to create a rational framework to evaluate the problem and impacts.

The summit also featured the work carried out over the last two years by volunteers in the PTMSC study.  Jen Kingfisher presented the methods and preliminary findings to date, and project volunteers had the chance to ask questions. Question and answers quickly evolved into a healthy citizen science discussion and volunteers gave valuable feedback to project coordinators. From the northwest reaches around the San Juan Islands to the southern inlets around Olympia, volunteers spoke up and expressed deepening their commitment to this project. Kate Litle, Citizen Science Specialist with Washington Sea Grant, facilitated the session and listened closely, as did everyone. This session showed the true heart of the project: people caring deeply about the health of our marine waters and motivated to do something about it. 

The Summit also hosted a guest from the Chesapeake Bay area, Courtney Arthur of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program.  She provided a national overview of what professionals and volunteers are doing to study and facilitate removal of marine debris. NOAA is using professional scientists to sample beach sediments on Chesapeake Bay, in a study that has similarities to the PTMSC study, bringing into focus the value of moving toward a national standardized approach.

The Plastics Summit highlighted the fact that the PTMSC Beach Sediment Study is clearly unique in using volunteer citizen scientists to monitor beaches for micro-plastic debris through a coordinated, regional effort. The question raised by his event is where to take this research next.