The Quantification of Microplastics in Salt Water from Five Los Angeles Beaches
Start Date
12-12-2022 5:30 PM
Description
Microplastics are defined as plastic particles from 1 to 5,000 μm. Through their hydrophobic properties and the concept of biomagnification, microplastics' small size make them a large threat to marine life and even humans. Their abilities to enter waterways through water runoff, wind and other ways, makes the problems of microplastics appear ever increasing. This paper proposes the quantification of microplastics at five Los Angeles beaches in order to gain knowledge about the concentration and set a foundation for assessing the greater risks that microplastics pose. Water samples will be collected at five beaches and then run through a filtration system comprised of different sized sieves. Microplastics will be examined through the sieves with the use of fluorescence. Microplastics are expected to be in all samples, but concentration is expected to vary based on factors of proximity to waste disposals, rain, ocean currents, and sampling depth.
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The Quantification of Microplastics in Salt Water from Five Los Angeles Beaches
Microplastics are defined as plastic particles from 1 to 5,000 μm. Through their hydrophobic properties and the concept of biomagnification, microplastics' small size make them a large threat to marine life and even humans. Their abilities to enter waterways through water runoff, wind and other ways, makes the problems of microplastics appear ever increasing. This paper proposes the quantification of microplastics at five Los Angeles beaches in order to gain knowledge about the concentration and set a foundation for assessing the greater risks that microplastics pose. Water samples will be collected at five beaches and then run through a filtration system comprised of different sized sieves. Microplastics will be examined through the sieves with the use of fluorescence. Microplastics are expected to be in all samples, but concentration is expected to vary based on factors of proximity to waste disposals, rain, ocean currents, and sampling depth.
