RESEARCHPROJECTS
CHESAPEAKE BAY PLASTIC SURVEY
Chesapeake Bay Plastic Survey
The Chesapeake Bay Plastic Survey aims to establish a baseline for monitoring plastic pollution trends in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Ocean Research Project (ORP) assessed bay-wide plastic pollution by exploring plastic particle count. The long-term objective is to help develop plastic pollution as a water quality indicator for monitoring future bay health. A threshold is in development for plastic pollution and scores will be published in the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Report Card from our results.
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Key questions we aim answer with future donations.
How much plastic could accumulate in the bay bottom in the future?
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When should the bay waters be sampled to best represent the plastic concentration of any sampling location?
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To answer these questions, we need funding for data collection and examination on how tidal flood and ebb impacts plastic concentration in the near surface waters. If we observe the rate of microplastic accumulation in the bay bottom since the advent of plastic exposure to the environment, then we can predict plastic pollution trapped in the bay if pollution prevention is not enforced.
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We need $20,000 to conduct the research to answer these next critical questions. If you can sponsor this research, please reach out.
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Project Overview
ORP’s study is the first to determine the particle concentration of plastic pollution across the United States’ largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay. The information from this pilot project informs Chesapeake Bay Program partners at the federal, state, and local levels on best practices for future man made micro debris monitoring..
The Issue of Plastic Pollution
Plastic debris, generated by modern human civilization, has infiltrated the deepest trenches of the world’s oceans and concentrated in massive surface areas. An estimated 5.5 trillion pieces of plastic debris are in the world’s oceans. This plastic debris originates from land due to the overuse of plastics in daily life and improper waste disposal. Once plastic trash enters the ocean, nature’s forces and the migration of marine species and birds determine how the plastic material and chemical compounds move and accumulate through the complex marine environment, including the food chain and the Plastisphere. Much of this plastic debris is concentrated in large oceanic current circulation regions called gyres.
Importance of the Survey
The Chesapeake Bay Plastic Survey will:
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Establish a Baseline: Provide essential data for monitoring plastic pollution trends.
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Inform Future Efforts: Guide a dedicated multi-year sampling program by Chesapeake Bay Program partners.
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Enhance Understanding: Improve knowledge of the impact of plastic pollution on the Bay and its connection to broader environmental changes.
Related Research and Findings
To better understand the nature of plastic debris in the ocean, ORP has conducted multiple research expeditions in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. These expeditions have provided critical data on the concentration, composition, and extent of plastic debris in the ocean.
Key Publications
ORP's extensive research has contributed to several influential publications, including:
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Charting the Chesapeake: Uncovering the Mysteries of Microdebris
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Mitigation Strategies to Reverse the Rising Trend of Plastics in Polar Regions
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LEARNMORE
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Marine Pollution Bulletin: Discover more about chemical transfer risk in the seafood chain in our collaborative publication.
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Arctic Ocean Plastic Pollution: Our research on minimizing pollution in the Arctic Ocean highlights the global nature of plastic waste and potential solutions using earth-friendly bio-materials.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Thank you to our project partners!
