PSU will spearhead research aiming to reduce microplastic pollution on Oregon Coast

"As coastal tourism continues to grow, so does the strain on our water systems and marine environments."

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A federal agency is investing in Portland State University’s research on the pollution plaguing parts of the Oregon Coast.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has allocated nearly $2 million to PSU as part of its National Sea Grant Marine Debris Challenge Award Program.

The grant program supports efforts to curb the debris found in oceans and lakes nationwide. Overall, NOAA and U.S. Department of Commerce distributed $25 million across 11 projects in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and, of course, Oregon.

Coastal communities annually host a cleanup for the “dirtiest beach day of the year” on July 5, when locals see an abundance of trash following the Fourth of July holiday. But PSU’s efforts are especially focused on the microplastic pollution that is more difficult for the naked eye to see.

The research project — titled “Beyond the drain: Tackling anthropogenic particle pollution sources to wastewater and biosolids across communities” or Beyond TAPPS — includes partners at Oregon State University, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Surfrider Foundation.

Researchers will develop three different filtration systems that will be installed on washing machines, dishwashers and clothes dryers in an attempt to reduce the amount of microplastics that are spread throughout the coast.

According to the PSU researchers, these filters could mitigate the tourism and hotel industry’s impacts on marine pollution.

"As coastal tourism continues to grow, so does the strain on our water systems and marine environments,” PSU Environmental Science and Management Professor Elise Granek, who is also leading the project, said. “After years of documenting the presence of microplastics in our seafood and waterways, our team is excited to start taking action! This project is an important step in ‘turning off the tap’ to reduce the flow of microplastics from our communities.”

The research group will launch Beyond TAPPS later this year. The project is expected to span over the next three years.