Microplastics have become a defining pollutant of our time—now detected from polar ice cores to human bloodstreams. These microscopic fragments, fibers, and beads—smaller than five millimeters and often invisible to the naked eye—form as common plastics break down from bags, bottles, textiles, and tires. Lightweight, durable, and nearly indestructible, they persist for decades, accumulating in rivers, estuaries, and oceans.
Recent studies estimate that humans ingest tens of thousands of microplastic particles each year, while coastal ecosystems face mounting risks to food webs, water quality, and sediment health. Yet, until recently, scientists lacked a clear understanding of how these pollutants move through estuaries like Narragansett Bay—or where they tend to accumulate.
This Coastal State Discussion explores recent research revealing where microplastics accumulate, how they move through coastal systems, and what that means for management and mitigation in Narragansett Bay and beyond..
SPEAKERS
Sarah Davis, Ph.D. (University of Rhode Island) will present findings from Rhode Island Sea Grant–funded research on microplastic distribution and transport in the Bay’s surface waters, examining how physical dynamics and watershed inputs shape concentrations across the estuary.
Victoria Fulfer, Ph.D. (5 Gyres Institute) will discuss microplastics in Bay sediments and broader patterns of contamination across coastal environments, linking local observations to national and global research and policy efforts.
Together, their work offers the most comprehensive look yet at microplastic pathways from watershed to seabed—and what it will take to protect coastal ecosystems from this pervasive pollutant.
Contact
For more information about this series, please contact Meredith Haas at mmhaas@uri.edu