Work

Microplastic Abundance across Aquatic Habitats in Lake Michigan Tributaries

Year: 2022

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Microplastic (<5mm) pollution is ubiquitous worldwide. The distribution of plastic particles in freshwater tributaries is ‘patchy’ showing an accumulation of particles in depositional zones, which have naturally occurring fine particles. Microplastics may be ‘sorted’ by density; denser particles in the sediment and less dense particles on the water’s surface. The purpose of this study is to determine the spatial distribution of microplastic by polymer type in 3 river habitats: surface water, water column, and benthic. So far in our study, we have found microplastics of all types can sink and become part of the sediment. Our next steps in the project are to complete the micro-FTIR analysis and compare our results to that of fish and macroinvertebrates at the same sites.

Source: Loyola eCommons (Loyola University of Chicago)

Authors: Eros, Audrey, Schaul, Olivia, Leal, Jesus

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7020851483

FWCI:

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Related to: 10