Fluctuations of microplastic concentrations in groundwater and a rural creek relating to seasonal farming practices

Abel, Jennifer

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122957 Copy

Description

Title

Fluctuations of microplastic concentrations in groundwater and a rural creek relating to seasonal farming practices

Author(s)

Abel, Jennifer

Issue Date

2024-04-24

Keyword(s)

• plastic
• microplastics

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a growing concern to human and ecological health. Introduction of MPs comes from the degradation of plastics produced for agricultural, industrial, commercial, and personal use. There is significant research on MPs in surface and groundwater, and MPs in agricultural soils, but there is little research relating the two. We hypothesize MP concentrations will increase during the seasonal use of fertilizers, pesticides, mulch, and wastewater irrigation. We chose six sampling sites along Kilbuck Creek, a 28-mile-long creek flowing almost exclusively through agricultural land in northern Illinois. We also sampled a groundwater observation well located near the creek. Sampling is done bi-monthly for the period of one year to include the four seasons of farming. Analysis has shown a decrease in microplastic concentrations from dormancy to tilling/planting across all sites. These results are unexpected but could be due to vegetation growth along the creek and less than average rainfall. MP migration from farming practices threatens groundwater and rural surface water MPs and any farming chemicals that adsorb onto the MPs. In rural areas, drinking water is primarily sourced from groundwater and is not subject to municipal treatment plants threatening human health as well as wildlife and plant health.

Has Part

https://youtu.be/6DzOwE5ibMw

Type of Resource

• still image
• text

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