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Abstract 2469 Identifying influential factors on the interaction between microplastic pollutants and trace elements in Long Run Creek, IL
Summary
This study investigated microplastic abundance and physicochemical properties in Long Run Creek, Illinois, alongside trace element concentrations, to understand how environmental conditions influence microplastic-pollutant interactions. Results highlight that water chemistry, particularly trace element presence, significantly affects the adsorption of metals onto microplastics and their broader health implications.
Microplastics are incredibly pervasive plastic pollutants measuring less than five millimeters in size. Though found virtually everywhere, little is known about the long-term health consequences of microplastics, especially in natural waters. To fully analyze the broader health implications, it is crucial to first understand the physicochemical characteristics that make microplastics so harmful and the contribution of environmental conditions-namely, the presence of trace elements, which can be harmful in high concentrations and are often adsorbed onto microplastics, and water chemistry.