About This Project

We know a lot about the accumulation, distribution and effects of microplastics on marine ecosystems. We know very little about microplastic levels in comparison between freshwater and estuary ecosystems. We hypothesize that ecosystems upstream in the river inhabited with bivalves will have less microplastic contamination than ecosystems at the estuary inhabited by bivalves.

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What is the context of this research?

Plastic debris is an increasing concern and has been identified as a major contributor to biodiversity reduction in an ecosystem and poses a potential threat to human health and environmental growth. Limited studies have been conducted comparing the type and density of microplastics between inland freshwater river systems and coastal estuary systems in the Southeast region of the United States. This research will evaluate microplastic contamination in the Columbia, SC river systems and the estuary waters of the Charleston harbor. The research proposal will focus on density and distribution of microplastics within the Columbia and Charleston water systems; potential sources of plastic debris, and potential toxic effects of microplastics on the marine organisms.

What is the significance of this project?

There is an increasing global awareness and concern on the potential impact that microplastics may have on the marine food web. Ingestion of microplastics by marine animals have caused adverse health effects to include food intake reduction, decreased growth rate, and energy depletion, which may endanger marine populations and living resources. Microplastic pollution in natural water systems may pose potential threats to aquatic organisms and human health. No empirical study has been conducted to quantify the differences in plastic pollution between freshwater and estuarine systems or the potential impacts of microplastic contamination on bivalve organisms. This research will help fill in knowledge gaps in these areas.

What are the goals of the project?

We hypothesize that ecosystems upstream in the river inhabited with bivalves will have less microplastic contamination than ecosystems at the estuary inhabited by bivalves.

The field samples will assess and compare the spatial distribution of microplastics (MPs) between the sediment and water surface layers of the freshwater river systems of Columbia, SC, and the estuary system in Charleston Harbor, SC. Marine sampling will determine and assess the ecotoxicological hazards of MPs in the bivalve organisms.

MPs will be identified and classified by their shape, size, color and type. Polymer composition will be determined using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.