9 Undergraduate Research (Posters)

Thursday, 7 April 2022
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Junior Ballroom B

TRANSPORT OF COLLOIDAL MICROPLASTICS THROUGH POROUS MEDIA

Paper number: 9-34
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Authors

  • Beau Neidich
    University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
  • Cole White Presenting Author
    University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
  • Dylan Adler
    University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
  • Stephanie DeVries
    University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN

Abstract

Microplastic contamination has become an environmental and public health concern as the use of plastics increases. The risks are unresolved, in part, due to the poor understanding of the transport behavior of microplastics. Understanding the transport of microplastics through terrestrial systems is key in determining the movement and fate of microplastics. We will present results of column experiments conducted to quantify transport properties of polystyrene microbeads through quartz sand media. Influent was prepared with 10-micron fluorescent microbeads and 0.1 mM chloride and either (1) injected into the base of the column or (2) continually delivered to the base of the column for up to 10 pore volumes. Effluent fractions were analyzed using fluorescence spectroscopy and ion chromatography and modeled with Hydrus 1D. The results show that polystyrene is retarded by solid-phase sorption reactions. We hypothesize that the polystyrene spheres will be most effectively transported through well-sorted, coarse-grained media.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 54, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2022NC-375593

© Copyright 2022 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.