Major
Biology
Anticipated Graduation Year
2024
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Rivers are sources of microplastics (i.e., particles 1 um - 5 mm) to oceans, but their distribution within river habitats is unknown. We measured microplastics in 3 habitats (surface water, water column, benthic zone) at 4 sites in the Chicago River. We predicted a higher number and density of microplastics would occur in the benthic zone and farthest downstream. However, microplastics showed high variation habitats and sites, by abundance and polymer. Assessments of microplastic distribution are needed to better quantify microplastics movement and retention. These data will inform watershed models of microplastic dynamics in rivers, and global plastic budgets.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Timothy Hoellein, Associate Professor, Biology Department
Supported By
National Science Foundation, LUROP
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Distribution of microplastics within stream habitats by polymer type
Rivers are sources of microplastics (i.e., particles 1 um - 5 mm) to oceans, but their distribution within river habitats is unknown. We measured microplastics in 3 habitats (surface water, water column, benthic zone) at 4 sites in the Chicago River. We predicted a higher number and density of microplastics would occur in the benthic zone and farthest downstream. However, microplastics showed high variation habitats and sites, by abundance and polymer. Assessments of microplastic distribution are needed to better quantify microplastics movement and retention. These data will inform watershed models of microplastic dynamics in rivers, and global plastic budgets.