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) ● 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 o 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. ● 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 .
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 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 . Polyethylene and Polypropylene 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 - I used this test to see if suspected (based on De Witte et al., 2014) 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 - There were many similarities in my data - This could be because they both are Teatown Lake connected to the same watershed. Vernay Lake
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
Recommend
More recommend
