As part of a baseline study for Placentia Bay, one of Newfoundland's prominent fishing regions, I
investigated the spatial distribution and characteristics of microplastics. I collected water samples
from the surface at nine open-water locations and sediment samples at six locations in the sediment
layer. Microplastics were examined under a microscope, and a subset of samples underwent Raman
microspectroscopy for chemical identification To tailor methods specifically to the water and
sediment samples from Placentia Bay, I conducted method tests. Published methods proved
unreliable, as a lack of standardized methodology was evident. Water column samples required an
extended digestion time of 24 hours with hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid due to their POC-rich
nature. In sediment samples, microplastics were isolated using a sodium tungstate dihydrate
solution. . The highest concentrations of microplastics in the water column were identified on the
eastern side of the bay, with fibers being the predominant shape and polyethylene as the dominant
polymer type. Raman spectroscopy was employed to confirm microplastics and evaluate the
reliability of visual identification. 50% of fragments and 21% of fibers were non-plastic,
highlighting the limitations of relying solely on visual identification for characterizing
microplastics
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