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Instructor/Advisor

Dr. William McDowell

Keywords

Concentrated, Aquatic, Concern

Abstract

Microplastics are a group of environmental contaminants that have been rapidly emerging in various aquatic ecosystems and raising a high concern. These microplastics are small plastic particles ranging in size from 1 nm to 5 mm. Despite their small size, microplastics pose a threat to aquatic ecosystem health and stability, water quality, and human health. Microplastics can enter aquatic environments through a variety of mechanisms, including agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, plastic littering, and atmospheric deposition. The rapid rise and concentration of various microplastics are believed to disrupt ecological functioning, with an effect on ecosystem food webs, particularly at the base of the food web. Furthermore, the increasing concentration can pose harms to sources of drinking water for humans. The accumulation of microplastics in freshwater bodies can vary due to weather patterns,environmental factors, human activity, ecological processes, and more. Our research focuses on quantifying microplastics in a local freshwater ecosystem, the Lamprey River watershed in southeastern New Hampshire. Samples from 19 locations in the Lamprey River watershed were collected bimonthly. We digested samples using 30% hydrogen peroxide at 50 C for at least 48 hours, in order to destroy any organic matter, then we filtered 5 mL of samples onto Millipore gridded cellulose filters. To count these microplastics, we used dissecting scopes at 40x magnification with NightSea lights, causing the microplastics to fluoresce for easier identification. Results of each sample vary, and can be due to changes in the environment; for instance rainfall, temperature, sediment disruption or even drought. The data we collect shows the concentration of microplastics within specific times of the year, giving us insight as to why that is. Further research is needed to back this data overall, as well as the overall effect that these concentrations of microplastics have on the environment and its organisms.

Understanding Where Microplastics are Located and their Concentration in the Lamprey River

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