How land-use and hydrology characteristics effect microplastic contamination in Lake Ontario

Session: 46. - Plastics in the Great Lakes: Characterizing the Problem and Finding Solutions

Jelena Grbic, University of Toronto, [email protected]
Paul Helm, Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, [email protected]
Chelsea Rochman, University of Toronto, [email protected]

Abstract

Canada has been making progress with microplastics regulation, enforcing a ban on the manufacturing of microbeads for personal care products. To continue informing policy, scientists in the province of Ontario are actively investigating urbanized regions within the Lake Ontario Watershed for microplastics. In this study, we collected grab water samples of wastewater treatment plant effluent, storm water, agriculture, and lake surface water onto 10um polycarbonate filters to identify microplastics across varying sources and at smaller size classes than regularly investigated. The type and abundance of microplastics will be determined using microscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy, and their relationship to watershed attributes will be assessed using regression models. We expect that watersheds with higher percent urban land cover and population density, and a greater number of end-of-life vehicle yards, landfills, wastewater treatment plants and plastic industry will have a higher abundance of microplastics. Discerning the types of microplastics found in relation to the watershed features, hydrology, and activities will enable policy makers to target the sources of microplastics in urban watersheds that lead into lakes and oceans, mitigating potential harm to both freshwater and marine waters and wildlife.  

1. Keyword
Lake Ontario

2. Keyword
microplastics

3. Keyword
Spatial analysis