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Microplastics in Western NY River Ecosystems
Summary
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in river ecosystems of Western New York, characterizing particle abundance, types, and distribution across sampling sites. The study provides regional baseline data and highlights urban and agricultural land use as contributors to freshwater microplastic contamination.
The occurrence of microplastics in marine and freshwater systems has been an area of increasing concern due to its potential negative impact on aquatic organisms and human health. With continuously growing patches of plastics in oceans and the Great Lakes, we must understand the mechanisms that move these materials from the urban landscape into aquatic ecosystems. We investigated the transport and storage of microplastics in 5 streams draining into Lake Erie from Buffalo, NY. The streams were sampled from 2020-2023 to determine the amount of plastic being transported. Samples underwent chemical digestion, filtration, and staining with Nile Red, and were then viewed using fluorescent microscopes so individual micro plastics could be counted. This research provides information to aid ongoing conservation efforts and helps distinguish future experiments to test the effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms.