The UTC Graduate School is pleased to announce that Cole White will present Master's research titled, THE BEST LABORATORY METHODS AND FIELD SAMPLING TECHNIQUES TO QUANITIFY MICROPLASTICS IN SMALL SOUTHEASTERN STREAMS on 11/08/2024 at 2:30-4:30 in Zoom Meeting: https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/85802579013?pwd=ObcgHBgkSYSnR2mH3zFS41g0GxbshD.1 Password: 324212. Everyone is invited to attend. 

Environmental Science

Chair: Ashley Manning-Berg

Co-Chair: 

Abstract:

Plastic pollution has become a prevalent issue in the environment. This is particularly true for microplastics (< 5 mm). The quantification of microplastics in the environment is challenging due to inconsistencies in field sampling, particle separation, and counting techniques between laboratories. The research presented here examines which sample collection and particle separation methods are the most reliable for microplastic research. Three commonly used separation techniques were tested, including saltwater density separation, a single filtration method, and a double filtration method. Two water sampling techniques, single grab samples taken at the surface of the stream and multiple grab samples taken at various depths and locations within the stream, were also tested. Microplastic abundance was determined using fluorescence microscopy to create photomicrograph mosaics. The results of each method were compared to determine which of the sampling techniques and quantification methods best characterized the abundance of microplastic particles in environmental samples.