Presence of Mic ro p la s tic s in Te a to wn s Wa te r Bo d - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Presence of Mic ro p la s tic s in Te a to wn ’ s Wa te r Bo d ie s

By: Asya Surphlis Dobbs Ferry High School, 11th Grade

Introduction

Microplastics

• “small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long

“small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.” which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.”

(NOAA,2017)

• Hu m a n Im p a c t c a n a ffe c t a m o u n ts o f p la s tic s in o c e a n s , la ke s , rive rs , e ve n

la n d a n d a ffe c t th e c re a tu re s .

• Mic ro p la s tic s c a n c o m e in m a n y d iffe re n t fo rm s wh e th e r th e y’

re th e s ize

• f a p e b b le o r s m a lle r th a n a g n a t th e y c a n s till a ffe c t th e e n viro n m e n t.

Background information

➔ How do Microplastics affect Marine life? ◆ Marine Creatures can become entangled or ingest these materials this is very hard for animals and survival chances are low. ◆ These plastics are not digestible and it can cause health problems to marine life and eventually kill them. ➔ How do Microplastics affect us? ◆ Microplastics are consumed by animals that most humans consume, this is not the only way we can intake plastics, household items under the name “poly” these include but are not limited to Polyethylene and Polypropylene

a re in in g re d ie n ts o f c o s m e tic s , c lo th in g , a n d c le a n in g s u p p lie s .

It c a n e n te r b o d ie s o f wa te r b y u n filte re d d ra in a g e . ◆ Th is e s s e n tia lly m a ke s m ic ro p la s tic s vis ib le in th e fo o d c h a in a lo n g with it b e in g a n in o rg a n ic n o n re n e wa b le s u b s ta n c e . (p u b s.a c s.o rg )

Hypothesis

If Microplastics were present in Teatown, there would be more Microplastics in Teatown Lake than Vernay Lake because it is a larger body of water.

Methods

• Repeat 4 times per location

Methods

The hot needle test

(based on De Witte et al., 2014)

• I used this test to see if suspected

Microfibers and Microplastics would melt, If they did than they qualified as plastic material.

(Popular Science)

Results

• Paint chips in Teatown

than Vernay

• Aluminum in Teatown than

Vernay

• My Hypothesis was

not not supported showing more microplastics in Vernay Lake not Teatown Lake

Results

• Vernay Lake has more debris
• Aluminum and glass are

more visible in Vernay Lake

• Microbeads were not very

abundant this could also come from errors in my data

Results

• Teatown Lake has less debris
• Aluminum and Glass were also

very abundant in Teatown Lake

• Microbeads were also not very

abundant this could also come from errors in my data

Discussion/ Conclusion

• Future research
• In the future my goal is to look at a larger body of water
• I can look more into locations with multiple microplastics and visible pollution
• Near more populated and industrial areas.
• Problems that may have hindered my research
• Weather and Animals
• Population of the areas and Trail sites

Discussion/ Conclusion

Teatown Lake Vernay Lake

• There were many similarities in my

data

• This could be because they both are

connected to the same watershed.

How to avoid microplastics

If you want to learn how to avoid and get rid of microplastics in your life you can learn more at: beatthemicrobead.org These can have a huge impact on Marine life and our lives!

(steemit) (cityAM)

Acknowledgments

Teatown Teatown -

• Dr. Amy Karpati, Charlie Luisi, Eva Thaddeus, Erin Baker, and TESA 2018

My Science Research Teacher My Science Research Teacher

• Erica Curran

Family Family - My Mom, Dad, and Sister

Presence of Mic ro p la s tic s in Te a to wn ’ s Wa te r Bo d ie s

By: Asya Surphlis Dobbs Ferry High School, 11th Grade