Browsing by Subject "microplastic"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    Microplastic Pollution in the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
    (2021-12-01) Cypull, Ethan, J; Buetow, Kristyn A; Sheleski, Emily J
    Researchers collected water samples in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in northern Minnesota, a heavily protected wilderness area, using a small drag net to capture water-borne microplastics and other debris. These samples were then examined in the laboratory under a microscope to identify microplastics. Potential microplastics were singed with a hot needle and any changes were observed, as plastics react uniquely to heat compared to organic materials. Of the 116 samples that were examined, it was found that 77 samples contained at least one verified microplastic. Within these 77 samples, there were 192 microplastic pieces that were found in total. The most common microplastics found were blue fibers, and an analysis of the colors and types of microplastics was conducted.
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    Particle Tracking in Lake Superior using FVCOM with focus on Apostle Islands
    (2021-08) Weber, Grace
    This study explores the movement of simulated neutrally buoyant drifters in far western Lake Superior. It was motivated by a desire to understand the transport and fate of microplastic particles originating near the region’s population centers and their potential impact on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Particle movements were determined using the Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) configuration developed by the Large Lakes Observatory at the University of Minnesota Duluth. When exploring vertically averaged monthly output for the years 2015 and 2018, particles (which could include microplastic particles or suspended sediments) were modeled as passive drifters and advected using model output during each month. Exploring month- long and three month-long model runs showed that drifters originating in the St. Louis and Nemadji estuaries move predominantly towards the Apostle Islands. Drifters are also predicted to be more prevalent on the northern side of the Apostle islands. Drifters were also observed to travel faster in the late summer months, with more drifters entering and staying in the Apostle Islands during those months as well. The drifter tracks suggest that if a microplastic or other neutrally-buoyant particle is deposited inside of the estuary, assuming no large wind events, it will most likely end up in the Apostle Islands within 3 months, especially during the late summer months. The results of this analysis will help researchers to better understand the source, transport and fate of microplastics in Lake Superior. Part of this research was intended to aid in further understanding microplastic sampling research done in the Apostle Islands during June through December of 2015 (Whitmire et al 2017), and May and August of 2018 (Minor et al 2020).