There is a growing interest in understanding the impact of microplastics (MPs) on our environment, resulting in efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Extensive research has been done on microplastics in marine systems and the impact on aquatic life; however, little research has been done to understand the local pollution of MPs in freshwater systems. Additionally, information is needed about the types of plastic pollution residing in these systems. This project investigates the MPs in Utah Lake and determines MPs distribution around the lake. Utah Lake is a shallow, freshwater lake located in Utah, United States. The Lake is 384 km<sup>2</sup> with an average depth of 2.7 meters and houses about 600,000 people in its water shed. Surface water samples were collected around Utah Lake from areas that varied in activity, such as urban, agricultural, and undeveloped environments. Hydrophobic particulates from the water samples were isolated and counted using light microscopy methods. However, these methods do not provide information about the identity of the polymers in the samples. Determining the identity of the MPs in the lake water is equally as important and can be done with Raman spectroscopy. However, plastics often contain dyes and fillers to create the final plastic product. These additives affect the Raman spectra compared to pure plastic standards. To overcome this issue, a spectral library was created using plastics from consumer goods with the intent to relate environmental microplastic composition to source consumer plastics. The data collected from counting the samples was used to determine the MPs distribution around Utah lake and how MPs quantities differ between more and less populated areas. Additionally, the consumer plastic spectral library could be used to identify some of the MPs in the collected samples and give insight to some of the sources of microplastics in Utah Lake.

Investigation of microplastics in Utah with Raman spectroscopy

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.