Mohawk Microplastics

Problem - Plastic debris pollution in freshwater ecosystems is becoming a major ecosystem and public health concern. Plastic pollution is now identified as the most abundant anthropogenic debris and it is found throughout all marine environments, comprising 60-80% of all floating debris (Eriksen et al., 2013). This debris can have a lasting effect on marine life through ingestion or entanglement (Laist, 1987). Recent studies in small tributaries and freshwater environments (Baldwin, 2016) indicate microplastic pollution is pervasive across all hydrologic environments. 

    Mike Antidormi using a net sampler to collect a microplastic sample

A concurrent project by Union College researchers, underway across the Mohawk watershed, is using a synoptic (one-time) survey approach to characterize the spatial variability across the watershed.  Limited time series data exist however to characterize the temporal variability of microplastics in freshwater systems.  

Objectives & Scope - This study will collect and publish time series data at the mouth of the Alplaus Kill, a tributary to the Mohawk, to define the variability in microplastic concentrations. Samples will be collected every two weeks throughout the range of flows for an entire year to establish “time-series” data on microplastics. 

Benefit Statement - This project will help define the extent of microplastic pollution in New York State waterways and is consistent with the USGS water mission to provide reliable, impartial, timely information that is needed to understand the Nation’s water resources. 

Approach - Sampling will be conducted using a 330-335-micron surface net as part of the recommended USGS microplastic sampling protocol. 25+ samples will be collected throughout the year and during high flow runoff events to capture a range in hydrologic conditions. 

Timeline – Sampling will begin in November 2018 and continue through December 2019.  A draft report will be available at the end of 2021 depending on lab analysis time. 

References 

Baldwin, A.K., 2016. Plastic Debris in 29 Great Lakes Tributaries: Relations to Watershed Attributes and Hydrology. Environmental Science & Technology 50, 10377-10385. 

Eriksen, M., Mason, S., Wilson, S., Box, C., Zellers, A., Edwards, W., Farley, H., Amato, S., 2013. Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Marine pollution bulletin 77, 177-182. 

Laist, D.W., 1987. Overview of the biological effects of lost and discarded plastic debris in the marine environment. Marine pollution bulletin 18, 319-326. 

Project Location by County 

Schenectady County, NY