Microplastics in Wastewater: A Population Based Approach to Identifying Potential Sources

As sustainable practices become more popular, reusing resources like wastewater and biosolids for agriculture is an enticing prospect. Microplastics detected in these are a concern, especially given their ability to adsorb contaminants. Their sources vary from a mix of local residential and industrial practices.

Within a closed wastewater treatment system, we used LDIR to determine the quantity of microplastics at various points along the treatment process, as well as possible sources based on sewer samples.

Presenter: Ian Eggleston (Masters Student in Plant and Soil Sciences, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, UM, Amherst)

Ian is a Masters Student in the Plant and Soil Sciences program at Stockbridge School of Agriculture. His research focus is on microplastics in aquatic environments and their implications with agricultural practices. From experience testing PFAS and organic contaminants at an environmental lab, he applies similar methodology to microplastic analysis.