The widespread use of plastics in industries and households has led to ubiquitous plastic pollution in waters worldwide. While large plastics have recently received a lot of attention, these larger pieces have the ability to break down into fragments, and the abundance of smaller fragments may impact aquatic ecosystems in a myriad of ways that are not yet fully understood. Consequences of microplastic pollution include engulfment and entanglement by wildlife in addition to organism toxicity from chemicals adsorbed to the plastics. Furthermore, microplastic pollution may affect the functional diversity of microbes living in the receiving stream. To better understand the extent of microplastic pollution in southeast Michigan, we will sample the Huron and Rouge Rivers and several of their tributaries. One source of microplastics is wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent, so our sampling will include sites up and down stream of the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti WWTPs. To better understand the effectiveness of wastewater treatment in removing microplastics, we will also take samples at the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) during various stages of wastewater treatment. Wet peroxide oxidation with an Fe (II) catalyst addition will be used to enumerate the samples. Additionally, we will investigate microbial function of biofilms attached to microplastics incubated in water taken from the Rouge River using Biolog EcoPlates as well as Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) assays. Both the Rouge and Huron Rivers empty into Lake Erie where microplastic pollution has been estimated to be much higher than other Great Lakes. Our findings will provide more information on microplastic sources entering the Western Basin of Lake Erie.
Microplastic Enumeration Southeast Michigan Watersheds
Presenters
Jennifer Troost
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Jennifer is a graduate student studying microplastic pollution at Eastern Michigan University
Morgan Chaudry
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Morgan is an undergraduate biology student studying microplastics at Eastern Michigan University