Laboratory Methods for the Analysis of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments.

This document is a methods manual for measuring microplastic in the environment. This manual outlines step-by-step instructions for quantifying microplastic in marine environmental samples, including processes to streamline terminology and approaches. The methods described here were determined after careful study and laboratory work conducted through a grant from the NOAA Marine Debris Program to the University of Washington, Tacoma. Project goals sought to streamline the terminology and techniques used to assess microplastic concentrations in marine environmental samples, and to develop laboratory procedures to quantify microplastic particles in marine surface waters and bed sediments, as well as personal…