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Featured here soon will be my own research on microplastic pollution in the Catawaba River, Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie, in North Carolina.
We will demonstrate precise methods and steps we took in this experiment.
If you would like to send some of your own samples for us to analyze, please contact us at marineclean.microproject@gmail.com.
We have officially begun the process of finding and researching microplastics in our local freshwater areas!
I will post pictures and tips that I have found helpful when desigining this experiment.
Our First Experiment
*Important info for study:
Time of Day: Around 3:30pm
Temp/Weather: 74 degrees F / previous rain storm & partly cloudy
GPS Locations:
Lat ~ 35.355 Lon ~ -80.975
Lat ~ 35.373 Lon ~ -81.011
Lake Norman (Charlotte, NC)
Lake Norman (Charlotte, NC)
This where it all started. Lake Norman is a prime location for us to conduct our first study for several reasons.
Covering around 50 square miles, and 520 miles of shoreline, this surface freshwater feeds directly into Charlotte's drinking water, meaning if microplastics are present, this can demonstrate an issue. Studies conducted in European countries have displayed the evidence of microplastic contamination in tap water, regardless of filtration systems. Although new forms of filtration systems are in developmental stages, more must be done to prevent microplastic pollution in the first place.
Additionally, Lake Norman is among one of the top recreated Lakes within the North Carolina region. So tourists may be swimming or engaging in activities without realizing the presence of microplastics surrounding them.
Finally, there are at least five major Waste Water Treatment Plants directly surrounding the Lake Norman areas. Comprehensive research has concluded that proximity to Waste Water Treatment Plants can increase the likelihood of microplastic contamination.
Collecting Samples
Collecting Samples
A central part of our mission is first identifying whether or not microplastic contamination is present at certain locations. Through extensive deliberation, we decided moderate sample sizes would be best for our beginning trials. So far we have produced 10 samples, each using 12oz glass mason jars for collection
In an ideal setting, our sample sizes would be much larger to account for sources of error and more accurate data, however this is a good start, and we are predicting to collect more samples from different areas around Lake Norman.
Along those lines, if available, we would suggest ordering or using (if you already have) glass jars, consistent in size, to decrease sources of contamination from plastic containers. We found these mason jars on Amazon, and are going to reuse these as we collect from different areas.
We marked two different areas in this experiement (recreated areas versus less recreated areas) to analyze comparisons in presence or absence of microplastics. You may not need to do this depending on your location and the size of your freshwater system. We chose to go this route as it added increased complexity and awareness regarding specific questions we initially had.
To collect your samples, try to find accessible areas around your lake and stream, as this would make collecting much easier and safer. I would also encourage group efforts if possible to spread out and share the work load.
*Taped mason jar is Marina location (more recreated)
*Non-Taped mason jar is less recreated area
Sample ideas of materials used in experiment
Articles/Resources
Gathering Materials
Gathering Materials
Featured here are several materials I found useful, and affordable, when undergoing our makeshift experiment. This is not the only approach that can be used, and several other less extensive methods may produce similar results. I will link several articles below sourcing where I got my ideas from, and other methodologies that I found were interesting and reliable.
Oftentimes, gathering complex and comprehensive equipment for scientific research can seem intimidating or overwhelming. However, as a fairly new citizen scientist myself, the method and tools described below are fairly simple for the average citizen. If you do not feel comfortable conducting your own analysis, you may email us at marineclean-microproject@gmail.com and let us know if you would rather send us your samples.
Latex Gloves
These are especially important to avoid contamination and provide ample safety when exposing yourself to unknown substances/organisms
Compound Microscope
As evidenced by the name, many of these particles are not visible to the naked eye, making it necessary to analyze samples under whichever type of microscope accessible (ideally unless you are considering conducting research in the future, it might make sense to borrow space in a lab or materials from your school)
Compound microscopes do not provide as in depth of an analysis as electron microscopes may, but the microscope I receieved from Amazon works really well
Vacuum Filtration System/Kit - I purchased mine from SonicSupply
Buchner funnel
500 mL filtering flask / Erlenmeyer Flask (glass)
Hand pump with gauge - allows gravitational water flow through filter to flow at a faster rate
90 mm filter papers - each were 11 microns - if possible I would suggest .45 microns and filter paper that is gridded so that microplastics are more visible
Rubber stopper
Vacuum hose
Optional stand/clamp for flask (helps prevent accidental spillage - as I may or may not have found out)
Petri Dishes
These are extremely useful for analyzing your samples under the microscope, and for keeping a collection of microplastic data (preferably glass but plastic works as well)
Scalpels/Tweezers
These tools have also been essential for preventing contamination, identifying whether a substance under the micrscope was organic/inorganic, and for increased precision
Masking Tape
Very useful for labelling and staying organized
Procedure (Step 1)
Procedure (Step 1)
The use of the vacuum filtration system is a fairly simple process. The filtration device is beneficial for timely analysis of samples and reduces contamination factors in your experiment. However, this isnot a mandatory piece of equipment. Allowing the water to evaporate naturally in the mason jar is another method of conducting this study, even though it is more time consuming.
Tips:
Have a control to compare against - ex: filtered water
Wear cotton/non-synthetic clothing if possible
RINSE ALL OF YOUR MATERIALS!!! ESPECIALLY THE FUNNEL!! - I'd recommend filtered water, but tap works as well
Lay your filter paper evenly onto bottom of funnel so that no spaces are left open
Test out the pressure gauge to make sure suction is working
Pour water slowly into funnel to prevent overflow
If you don't have a stand, it's optimal to have another person help you keep the funnel in place
Sometimes microplastics may stick to the bottom of the glass so I'd recommend getting some filtered or tap water, swirling it on the bottom, and pouring it through the funnel
When you have finished filtering your sample and all that is let are residue traces and debris on your filter paper, you can use a scalpel or tweezer to extract the filter paper and place it on your petri dish for examination
If your filter paper curls or is not even on your petri dish, you may use glue on the bottom of the dish to keep the samples in one place
A manual should be available within the purchase of a filtration system, but if not, here are several youtube videos you can watch to get a better sense of how to put them together and get the system functioning properly.
As you can see here, you should firmly grip the hand pump, and look at the pressure gauge at the top to see if there s something wrong with your system. Ideally, the pressure should have a small release at the end of each grip on the pump, to enable complete suction, but if not that is completely fine.
Here we did the eight circle random sample. You can see the residue of sediments, algae, and of course microplastics, left from the filtration process.
Analyzing Under a Microcope (Step 2)
Analyzing Under a Microcope (Step 2)
If you have access to a compound microscope, these types of microscopes have high versatility, are simple to use, and are great for analyzing microplastics. If it is possible to obtain a higher functioning or more complex microscope, these would most likely be more ideal for identifying the different types of microplastics found and discerning organic from inorganic material, but in any case the simple compound microscope works well enough.
With our 90mm in diameter filter papers we decided since this is a fairly large surface area to examine every piece of microplastic, it would make most sense to complete random samples. We divided our filter papers in eight distinct circles (each about the size of a dime - consistent sizes) that mainly run across the diameter of the paper, as well as in the middle section. In this we hope to make our data more standardized and efficient, and we will use the results to compare the total average number of microplastics for eight circles between the recreational and less recreated areas.
Tips:
You can determine whether something is organic or inorganic by taking a needle/tweezer and placing pressure on the subject of interest
If it breaks apart easily, it is most likely organic
If the substance looks dyed or colored it is most likely a microplastic particle
Try to analyze in a certain order (e.g., left to right, then right to left in a downward motion)
Label your petri dishes
Mark areas you have already examined
Circle or draw a dot next to any microplastics
Adjust magnification to analyze effectively
What We Found (Step 3)
What We Found (Step 3)
So after all of these tests, did we find microplastics in Lake Norman?
The unfortunate answer is yes, we did find microplastics throughout the Lake Norman waters.
We compiled data from our eight individual tests of Lake Norman, and the results were intriguing. By far, the most recreated areas along our lakes contained almost double the amount of microplastics by random sample, than less recreated areas. We predicted this outcome, yet were astonished to find there were still pieces and fragments of microplastics within less recreated, exclusive areas.
The majority of the microplastics we found were microfbires. We were not surprised by these results since two of the largest textile companies in the US, Trelleborg and Unifi, are situated within the North Carolina regions. Furthermore, the United States in ranked as the second largest consumer of textiles per capita in the world, right below China.
As mentioned under the Primary Sources: Fashion tab, microfibers are dangerous to marine and terrestrial animals and to our own health. Microfibers are ubiquitous and are difficult to filter out from modern filtration systems. The average size of a microfiber is less than 10 micrometers, equivalent to 0.01 mm. Only special filtration, like Reverse Osmosis, can filter out these kinds of particles. Luckily Charlotte North Carolina employs this type of filtration in municipalities.
Yet this does not prevent these microfibers from entering our food webs, and still even with this technology, smaller particles of micro and nanoplastics can get through these filtration methods.
Above the pieces of algae and sediment, you can see this white microfibre from the less recreated part of Lake Norman.
Under the purple LED light you can see two transparent microplastics.
Here you can see this blue microfibre. We were able to tell this was plastic by the dyed color and doing a needle test to see if it broke apart.
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