Microplastics in river environments
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Joshua Galster
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:29 PM
Description
Microplastics are often fibrous strands typically smaller than 3 mm in length. They have been found within various animals from fish to people as well as inorganic settings such as streams and sediments. Microplastics are currently being investigated for their presence in small streams across a variety of land uses. I analyzed four first-order streams in Harriman State Park, NY, and two streams from an urban setting (Fair Lawn, NJ) for microplastics. I collected approximately 1 liter of water, filtered and then examined with a microscope for plastic fibers. Results indicate that all streams have some amount of microplastics, even those from forested areas. The amount of microplastics found within each river varies dramatically from day to day and site to site, although replicate samples indicate confidence in analytical methods. The concentration of microplastics within the urban streams are greater on average by around 8 microplastics per liter. Additionally one of the streams from Harriman, the Quartz Brook, has significantly more microplastics than any of the other surrounding streams within the park. Scientists could utilize this information to expand their understanding of where microplastics occur and their transport methodology.
Microplastics in river environments
Microplastics are often fibrous strands typically smaller than 3 mm in length. They have been found within various animals from fish to people as well as inorganic settings such as streams and sediments. Microplastics are currently being investigated for their presence in small streams across a variety of land uses. I analyzed four first-order streams in Harriman State Park, NY, and two streams from an urban setting (Fair Lawn, NJ) for microplastics. I collected approximately 1 liter of water, filtered and then examined with a microscope for plastic fibers. Results indicate that all streams have some amount of microplastics, even those from forested areas. The amount of microplastics found within each river varies dramatically from day to day and site to site, although replicate samples indicate confidence in analytical methods. The concentration of microplastics within the urban streams are greater on average by around 8 microplastics per liter. Additionally one of the streams from Harriman, the Quartz Brook, has significantly more microplastics than any of the other surrounding streams within the park. Scientists could utilize this information to expand their understanding of where microplastics occur and their transport methodology.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.