Sources to solutions: microfiber contamination, effects, and mitigation strategies

Session: Microplastics in Freshwater Systems: Advances in Chemistry, Biology and Physics (1)

Lisa Erdle, University of Toronto, [email protected]
David Sweetnam, Georgian Bay Forever, [email protected]
Kathleen Stevack, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, [email protected]
Chelsea Rochman, University of Toronto, [email protected]

Abstract

Microfibers are a large component of microplastic pollution, including in Great Lakes fish. This contamination raises questions regarding how they impact wildlife and whether we can reduce contamination. In this presentation, I will discuss work that demonstrates contamination and addresses both questions. While microfibers are known to enter waterways from various sources, little is known about the chemicals these microfibers carry, and whether this combination of microfibers and chemicals impact wildlife. To measure ecotoxicological effects of this mixture, we performed dietary exposures in the laboratory to assess individual- and population- level effects of aquatic invertebrates (prey) and fish (predator). To test mitigation strategies, we are measuring the effectiveness of filters on washing machines to reduce microfiber emissions. Our research demonstrates that filters can reduce microfiber emissions up to 90%. As a next step, we’re initiating a pilot project in July 2019 to see whether we can scale up efforts to a small town. We will install washing machine filters in over 100 households in Parry Sound, Ontario and measure microfiber diversions from washing machines and emissions in WWTPs over a two-year period to determine whether filters are an effective solution to reduce the amount of microfibers entering the Great Lakes.

Twitter handle of presenter
@lisaerdle