Quantifying Microplastic Contamination: Method Development
Level of Education of Students Involved
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Sara Dick
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Biology
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-25-2024
Abstract
Plastic accumulation has surged in the past decade due to its non-degradable nature, leading to the proliferation of microplastics, which pose risks to organisms as they mimic biological chemicals. Quantifying microplastic content in natural samples is crucial for assessing environmental load and intervention efficacy. We initiated our study by testing Nylon microplastics and developing quantification methods for soil samples. Utilizing a Chemidoc system, we aim to measure Nile-Red stained microplastics' fluorescence in standards and spiked soil samples, enabling accurate quantification of environmental microplastics. Ultimately, our objective is to assess microbial degradation of microplastics, facilitated by these established methods, thereby gauging their effectiveness in experimental samples.
Recommended Citation
Creager, Kyle and Masters, Tekeidra, "Quantifying Microplastic Contamination: Method Development" (2024). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1346.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1346
