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A Social-Ecological-Technological Systems Approach to Understanding Microplastic Pollution at the River Basin Scale
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This study applies a social-ecological-technological systems framework to understand microplastic pollution at the watershed scale in the Columbia River Basin, integrating spatial measurements of microfiber concentrations with stakeholder perceptions and community engagement. The interdisciplinary approach reveals the complex interactions between human behavior, infrastructure, and microplastic contamination patterns.
While microplastic pollution has been extensively studied in the marine environment, relatively few studies focused on the microplastic cycle at the watershed scale. Sponsored by an NSF-Sustainable Regional Systems planning grant, a team of interdisciplinary researchers has been investigating the spatial variations of microfiber concentrations, perception of microplastic pollution among different stakeholders, and engaging with K-12 teachers and practitioners in the Columbia River Basin. We conducted two stakeholder workshops to identify major issues and concerns associated with microplastic pollution and explore policy intervention strategies. Additionally, we analyzed how and why the perception of microplastic pollution varies by respondents' individual and group factors. Synoptic moss samples collected during summer 2022 illustrate spatial variations of microplastic pollution associated with local landscape factors. The pre- and post-test results show participants' knowledge increased after taking a four-week summer class. This integrative research seeks to co-produce knowledge by embracing social, ecological, and technological aspects of microplastic pollution within the Columbia River Basin.
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A Social-Ecological-Technological Systems Approach to Understanding Microplastic Pollution at the River Basin Scale
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Researchers studied microplastic pollution in the Columbia River Basin using an interdisciplinary approach combining water sampling, stakeholder workshops, and community education. The study found that microfiber concentrations varied across the watershed based on local landscape factors, and that community awareness and policy engagement are essential to address the problem at a regional scale.
Convergence Research for Microplastic Pollution at the Watershed Scale
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This paper describes a convergence research initiative that brought together scientists, policymakers, educators, and community members to collectively study microplastic pollution across the Columbia River Basin in the United States. The collaboration produced teacher training materials, a basin-wide microplastic sampling plan using moss and freshwater samples, and stakeholder surveys revealing differing levels of concern across sectors. The project demonstrates that meaningful progress on microplastic pollution requires building trust, co-designing research with communities, and translating findings directly into policy discussions and classrooms.
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Trained citizen scientists collected water samples at 72 sites across the Gallatin River watershed in Montana and found microplastics at all locations, with higher concentrations in areas downstream of urban land use. The study demonstrates that citizen science can effectively generate watershed-scale microplastic data while also linking plastic pollution to land use patterns.
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This perspective paper assessed the contributions of social and behavioral sciences to microplastics research, covering policy analysis, public education, and stakeholder engagement. The authors argue for greater integration of social science methods to understand and reduce plastic pollution at the human systems level.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.