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Microplastics in Ellis County, Kansas: The Saline River and Big Creek
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This student research project collected water samples from two Kansas rivers and examined them for microplastics using a microscope and UV light, finding contamination in local freshwater bodies. The study reflects growing public awareness of microplastic pollution and the importance of local monitoring, even in inland waterways far from major urban centers.
As the production of synthetic plastic products continues to increase, microplastic contamination in our water bodies will also increase (Li et al 2018 Public awareness of microplastics in our water has been steadily increasing over the past several years It is important for us to be aware of microplastic contamination, especially as the risks to wildlife and human health are poorly understood Pereao et al 2020 Recent studies focus on finding effective ways to estimate and share results of microplastic contamination In order to gain a broad understanding of microplastics and how they could be affecting the water bodies in our local area, water samples were collected from Big Creek and the Saline River These water samples were examined for microplastics with the aid of a microscope and a UV A light This May, we will be traveling to Ireland where we will repeat this experiment on the Camcor River
More Papers Like This
A Preliminary Study of the Microplastics in Big Creek and the Saline River in Ellis County, Ks
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Water samples from two rural western Kansas rivers — Big Creek and the Saline River — were found to contain microplastics even in sparsely populated headwater regions upstream of wastewater treatment facilities. This finding suggests microplastic contamination reaches beyond urban centers and wastewater sources, raising concerns about broader dispersal through freshwater systems serving agricultural communities.
Assessment of Microplastics in the Great Plains: Comparing Densities in Water and Benthic Sediment Across Kansas
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This study assessed microplastic concentrations in water and benthic sediment across multiple sites in Kansas, contributing rare inland data from the Great Plains region where most microplastic research has previously focused on marine environments. Results showed that microplastics are present in freshwater ecosystems far from the coast, with potential for chemical leaching into aquatic organisms.
Student Research Project: The Impact of Microplastics on Local Water Sources
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Student researchers simulated and examined water samples from an urban river, suburban pond, and household tap water, finding microplastics in all three sources with the highest concentrations in the urban river, underscoring how widespread plastic particle contamination is even in local water supplies.
Student Research Project: The Impact of Microplastics on Local Water Sources
AI summary Read the abstract
This student research project investigates microplastic concentrations in simulated samples from an urban river, suburban pond, and household tap water, demonstrating through microscopic analysis that all three sources contained microplastics with the urban river showing the highest concentration.
Student Research Project: The Impact of Microplastics on Local Water Sources
AI summary Read the abstract
This student research project investigates microplastic concentrations in simulated samples from an urban river, suburban pond, and household tap water, demonstrating through microscopic analysis that all three sources contained microplastics with the urban river showing the highest concentration.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.