Beach micro-plastics: Impact on Humans and Marine Ecosystems
Jovany Reyes, Kevin Zepeda, Johanna Cervantes
Abstract
The beaches of Southern California are some of the most visited waters in the world which attracts thousands of people daily. We hypothesize that this, industrial and commercial waste products and sewage run-off leads to extensive microplastics beach pollution. The objective of our research is to study some of the most polluted beaches. Microplastics in the beaches’ sand end up in the ocean which marine animals mistake as a food source. These plastics, under the impact of the sun’s ultra-violet rays, breakdown into polymers which disrupt organism’s hormonal systems.
We plan on analyzing thru mass spectrometry some plastics to determine their origin and potential health risk to marine and human life. Plastic polymers are additionally bio-magnified in animal muscle tissue which may be consumed by other animals, including humans (e.g. mussels, oysters, clams, etc.). We shall research (taking multiple quadrat (meter square) samplings and count plastic particles), educate and advocate ways to decrease this pollution. We recently sampled the Long Beach seashore and found a total of 56 microplastic pieces in a 1 square meter surface area; and the beach extends for miles. We’ll re-visit multiple sites to compare under different marine and weather conditions and time of year.
Our project will increase the understanding of microplastic contamination and motivate needed human lifestyle changes and need for plastic re-use, recycling and innovative technologies as a solution. In addition, we have invitations to collaborate with schools in Japan, Singapore, Chile, Mexico, Honduras, Wisconsin, Nebraska, New York.
Jovany Reyes, Kevin Zepeda, Johanna Cervantes
Abstract
The beaches of Southern California are some of the most visited waters in the world which attracts thousands of people daily. We hypothesize that this, industrial and commercial waste products and sewage run-off leads to extensive microplastics beach pollution. The objective of our research is to study some of the most polluted beaches. Microplastics in the beaches’ sand end up in the ocean which marine animals mistake as a food source. These plastics, under the impact of the sun’s ultra-violet rays, breakdown into polymers which disrupt organism’s hormonal systems.
We plan on analyzing thru mass spectrometry some plastics to determine their origin and potential health risk to marine and human life. Plastic polymers are additionally bio-magnified in animal muscle tissue which may be consumed by other animals, including humans (e.g. mussels, oysters, clams, etc.). We shall research (taking multiple quadrat (meter square) samplings and count plastic particles), educate and advocate ways to decrease this pollution. We recently sampled the Long Beach seashore and found a total of 56 microplastic pieces in a 1 square meter surface area; and the beach extends for miles. We’ll re-visit multiple sites to compare under different marine and weather conditions and time of year.
Our project will increase the understanding of microplastic contamination and motivate needed human lifestyle changes and need for plastic re-use, recycling and innovative technologies as a solution. In addition, we have invitations to collaborate with schools in Japan, Singapore, Chile, Mexico, Honduras, Wisconsin, Nebraska, New York.
Resources
assorted_microplastics_articles.docx | |
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bait_and_switch._anchovies_smell_plastic.docx | |
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Plastic Resin Pellet Pollution | |
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15 Year Study... | |
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microplastics_team_data_log__sheets.docx | |
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youth_presentation_-_rise_above_plastics_ppt.ppt | |
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by_2050_more_plastic_than_fish.docx | |
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psr_fact_sheet_hormone-disrupting-chemicals.pdf | |
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styrofoam_ban_set_in_motion.docx | |
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microplastics_in_sea_science_pg_1.pdf | |
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microplastics_in_sea_science_pg_2.pdf | |
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microplastics_awareness_activity_for_teachers.docx | |
File Size: | 172 kb |
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a_remote_pacific_island_awash_in_tons_of_trash.docx | |
File Size: | 1342 kb |
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