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A Proposal for the Abatement of Illegal Dumping in Warren County Waterways
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This capstone project proposes strategies to reduce illegal dumping in Warren County, Tennessee waterways, which introduces plastics and other waste into local ecosystems. It is a student policy proposal rather than a research paper, though it addresses plastic pollution entering freshwater environments.
Illegal dumping is the improper disposal of trash in unauthorized locations, such as rivers and forests. Illegal dumping in Tennessee has been an issue for decades. The Tennessee Tech Environmental and Sustainability Studies Capstone Class has focused their attention on Warren County, located in the Upper Cumberland region, to propose strategies for preventing illegal dumping and mitigating the problems associated with it. The negative effects of illegal dumping on the environment, on regional economies, and on local communities are significant. The proposals presented by the research group are meant to address many different facets of the issue. They include the use of GIS as a spatial database of illegal dumpsites and also as a potential predictive model, the study of microplastics and their prevalence in the river ecosystem, the negative effects of tire dumping, the economic impacts of illegal dumping, how enforcement of environmental laws and regulations have improved other communities similar to this one, and how community awareness along with environmental education can prevent illegal dumping in the future. The abatement of illegal dumping is a necessary component in keeping Warren County waterways safe, healthy, and clean.
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The Tenneswim Project: Raising Public Awareness of the Importance of Water Quality Analyses and Microplastics Concentrations in the Tennessee River
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A comprehensive water quality survey along the entire 1,049 km Tennessee River found an average of 16,000 microplastic particles per cubic meter, one of the highest concentrations recorded in a US river, alongside hundreds of synthetic chemicals. These findings, amplified by a record-breaking swim event, highlight that major American rivers are severely contaminated with microplastics that may enter drinking water supplies serving millions of people.
Determination of microplastic content in freshwater lakes in western Tennessee
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This American master's thesis determined microplastic content in freshwater lakes in western Tennessee using sampling and analytical methods. The study quantified and characterized microplastic particles from these inland water bodies.
Plastic Pollution of the Tennessee River: Comparing Risk Perceptions and Preferred Policy Solutions Between Stakeholders and the Public
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Researchers surveyed both the general public and local stakeholders along the Tennessee River about their perceptions of plastic pollution risks and preferred policy solutions. They found that while both groups recognized the environmental and health risks of plastic and microplastic pollution, their preferred approaches to addressing the problem differed. The study highlights the importance of understanding community perspectives when designing effective policies to reduce freshwater plastic contamination.
Microplastics in a Small Stream: Storm Response in a Tributary to the Tennessee River
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Researchers used hydrograph separation techniques to investigate whether residential septic systems are a significant source of microplastics to a headwater stream on the Cumberland Plateau. By comparing microplastic concentrations at different points in the storm hydrograph against chemical indicators of septic effluent, they assessed the relative contributions of groundwater, interflow, and surface runoff in transporting plastic particles.
Microplastics in the Tennessee River and Three Tributary Urban Creeks
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Researchers sampled microplastic concentrations in the Tennessee River and three urbanized tributary creeks, finding high and highly variable abundances ranging from fewer than 5 to over 75 particles per liter. Linear fibers dominated all samples, and microplastic levels were most strongly linked to local factors such as proximity to runoff discharge pipes and low-flow accumulation zones.
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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.