Studying surface properties of aging microplastics
With 8 million tons of plastics entering oceans annually, water resources are at risk from damage by microplastic pollution. The surface properties of plastics after environmental exposure is critical to microplastic removal processes, which rely on particle-chemical interactions to selectively remove and sort plastic. This research has the potential to provide the “missing-link” to reducing the amount of microplastics in the environment and mitigating their effects on food and water supply.
Biofilm Growth on Plastic Film, presented by Aidan Kenawell in UML Virtual Student Symposium 2021 April. Co-contributor Greg Reimonn
Research on Identification and Education of Microplastics, presented by Brooklyn Hayden in UML Virtual Student Symposium 2021 April. Co-contributor Kerry Candle
Gregory Reimonn, Madison Reed, and Demetre Fontaine presented a virtual poster “Microplastics: Biodegradation, Community, and Engagement” in New England Water Environment Association Student Poster Competition in late January 2021.
This poster covered finding from their capstone project about macro- and micro-plastic sampling. While the team did not win the completion, the members received very positive feedback from the audience.
