Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea Project
Background
Algalita was granted $482,183
by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to conduct
a pilot project researching industrial sites and non-point sources responsible for adding plastic debris to the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers’ watersheds.
The project began in November 2003 and concluded in March 2006. Algalita researched and identified the sources of the pollution, gathered and analyzed samples, monitored the industrial sites, and quantified non-point sources.
- Above: Researchers find nurdles (pre-production plastic pellets) layering the ground around railroad tracks and manufacturing plants. Below: Once on the ground, nurdles (the small white particles in the photo) easily enter storm drains and make their way into the ocean.
Why did we take on this project?
The production and consumption of plastics and the use of throw-away products in our every- day life has increased drastically, generating exponential amounts of urban trash. The trash problem has been addressed by regulators through the “Zero Trash Total Maximum Daily
Loads (TMDLs),” which defines trash as “litter and
particles 
of litter that are retained by a 5- mm mesh screen.”
The problem
comes from the fact that pre-production plastic resin beads, known
as “nurdles,” which are the most commoncontaminant
of our beaches (based on research published by SCCWRP), are less
than 5 mm. These pellets have never been formed into products. Post
consumer plastic fragments less than 5mm in size are also found
on our beaches.
How did we do it?
The target of the project was to collect baseline data on the total load of plastic debris less than 5mm in diameter, the number of nurdles (pre-production plastic pellets) released from injection molders, transporters and/or re-packagers, and collection of data on the pollutant load of nurdles and particles along the rivers.
In order to reach this goal, we monitored sites of plastic manufacturers. They were selected as follows: one large plastic bag manufacturer on each Los Angles and San Gabriel rivers, one large durable goods molder on each river, one plastic pellet transporter/re-packager per river, one small plastic injection molder on each river, and one plastic facility immediately adjacent to each river. In addition, mass emission sites were selected for monitoring at the following three locations: Los Angeles River above the tidal prism near Wardlow/405 Freeway, San Gabriel River above Coyote Creek junction and above debris net, and Coyote Creek above debris boom. Estuary and beach monitoring sites included: LA River estuary near the Queen Mary, Golden Shore Marine Reserve, Long Beach strand line at Alamitos Avenue near Shoreline Marina, San Gabriel River estuary, and Seal Beach strand line at 1st Street.
Dry season sampling was conducted after at least two weeks without rain of 0.25 inches or greater in the area. Wet weather sampling followed a rain event of 0.25 inches or greater, based on an average of the closest three rain gauges to the sample area.
What were the results?
Check out the Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea website for a comprehensive overview of the achievements and findings from this project (http://www.plasticdebris.org/). Check out some of the highlights from the project below.)
- A debris discharge action plan titled "Eliminating Land-based Discharges of Marine Debris in California: A Plan of Action". View the plan here>>
- Industry BMPs (Best Management Practices) regarding trash and debris discharge. See how your company can be a more responsible with your trash, view the BMPs here>>
- Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea DVD (purchase it our store>>)
- Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea brochure (download the PDF in english>> or spanish>>)
- Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea Conference (read more >>)
Methods and results of our study available to interested groups in other parts of the country and world via printed materials, the Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea DVD, and www.plasticdebris.org thanks to the aid of the California Coastal Commission. Our team will continue to provide leadership in the collection and analysis of data needed to understand and combat the negative effects urban and industrial wastes. We strongly believe that plastic pollution should be considered in its own right as a pollutant and that it should be routinely monitored as other water pollutants are. Plastic debris in our ocean's and watersheds is a poorly scrutinized yet significant environmental issue.
A special thank you to the project sponsors :
updated: 4/27/09
