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Microplastics from source to the environment: detection and characterization in urban watersheds
Citation:
Al-Abed, Souhail R., Dilip Duvvuru, P. Potter, E. Nusz, A. Civiello, Chris Janssen, AND E. Chamberlain. Microplastics from source to the environment: detection and characterization in urban watersheds. American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 13 - 17, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
Microplastics (MPs) are abundant in freshwater systems and urban watersheds that need assessment of MPs source using accurate methods and considering urban watershed hydrology. This presentation is an illustration of results include quantity, size, shape, and type of microplastic sampled from surface waters in a large-scale riverine network near the population center of Kansas City, Missouri; Kansas City, Kansas; and Cincinnati Ohio. Surface water was sampled at 10 locations in Kansas City and one location in Cincinnati. Sampling was conducted in varying flow rates to determine concentration of MPs based on source locations within the watersheds. The results will used by the Regional office to further investigation on the fate and transport of MPs in the ecosystem and possible effects of bioaccumulation. Also, our results detecting and characterizing MPs will be help in assessing plastics pollution in large urban watersheds with multiple pollution source and develop remedy solutions. This research produced first of a kind MP results in urban watersheds in two metropolitan areas.
Description:
This Subproduct will be preparing quarterly Fact Sheets, Summaries, Presentations, International updates. These quarterly meetings will be held with representatives of OITA, ORCR, and regional offices to provide updates on new development in Plastics research in terms of management and risk to the environment. We will prepare presentation and summary fact sheets on our findings for the quarter. In these meetings, anticipate reciprocal participation from Office’s representatives with their updates and emerging issues and needs related to plastics