EAGER: PPER: Microplastic AWARENESS Program: Amplifying Water-quality Analysis Research Experiences for Northwest Indiana Educators, Students and Society

EAGER：PPER：微塑料意识计划：为印第安纳州西北部的教育工作者、学生和社会扩大水质分析研究经验

• 批准号: 1744004
• 负责人: Julie Peller
• 金额: $ 10万
• 依托单位: Valparaiso University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-09-01 至 2018-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1744004&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EAGER; PPER; Microplastic; AWARENESS; Program

Microplastics are small plastic particles (less than 5 millimeters in diameter) in the environment, and they can come from a variety of sources. This research project is designed to utilize citizen scientists from a local middle school to collect data on microplastic pollution and integrate its detection into water quality monitoring. Project researchers will train and work with undergraduate science education research students, local teachers, and students (citizen scientists) in water quality research to study microplastic pollution in the Lake Michigan watershed. Citizen scientists will be trained to 1) conduct traditional water quality monitoring procedures, 2) quantify and study the transport and fate of microplastic pollutants and 3) determine the extent of microplastic materials consumed by common macroinvertebrates in the watershed. This large data set collection, which can be compiled effectively using citizen scientists, is also necessary for microplastic pollution mitigation strategies. Microplastic pollution is created from a number of sources and is defined as plastic waste materials less than 5 millimeters in diameter. This pollution is considered a threat on a global level due to the abundance, persistence and mobility of these plastic materials. While many studies have been performed on microplastic pollution have in the marine environment, recent scientific reports conclude that more research is necessary, especially in freshwater ecosystems. The project researchers are expanding upon traditional water quality monitoring by quantifying and analyzing the microplastic pollution in the local Lake Michigan watershed through the development of a citizen science program. The research includes investigations on the degree of uptake of microplastics by common macroinvertebrates in local headwater streams and the probable effects on these organisms. The full extent of microplastic pollution on organisms and humans is not yet known and additional research is required to address many unknown aspects of these pollutants. The project includes training of citizen scientists from a local public middle school. The project also provides an opportunity for the community to take part in critical research on current stresses to freshwater systems. Undergraduate science major students are taking part in the multi-disciplinary research and are being challenged with teaching research methods to the middle school citizen scientists as part of their teacher education preparation.

微塑料是环境中的小塑料颗粒（直径小于 5 毫米），它们的来源多种多样。 该研究项目旨在利用当地一所中学的公民科学家收集微塑料污染数据，并将其检测纳入水质监测。项目研究人员将对本科科学教育研究生、当地教师和水质研究学生（公民科学家）进行培训并与他们合作，研究密歇根湖流域的微塑料污染。公民科学家将接受培训，以：1）执行传统的水质监测程序，2）量化和研究微塑料污染物的传输和归宿，3）确定流域内常见大型无脊椎动物消耗的微塑料材料的程度。这种大型数据集收集可以利用公民科学家有效地进行汇编，对于微塑料污染缓解策略也是必要的。微塑料污染由多种来源产生，被定义为直径小于 5 毫米的塑料废料。由于这些塑料材料的丰富性、持久性和流动性，这种污染被认为是全球范围内的威胁。尽管对海洋环境中的微塑料污染进行了许多研究，但最近的科学报告得出结论，需要进行更多研究，特别是在淡水生态系统中。该项目研究人员正在通过制定公民科学计划来量化和分析当地密歇根湖流域的微塑料污染，从而扩展传统的水质监测。该研究包括调查当地源头溪流中常见大型无脊椎动物吸收微塑料的程度以及对这些生物体可能产生的影响。微塑料污染对生物体和人类的全面影响尚不清楚，需要进行额外的研究来解决这些污染物的许多未知方面。该项目包括对当地公立中学的公民科学家进行培训。该项目还为社区提供了参与有关淡水系统当前压力的关键研究的机会。理科专业的本科生正在参与多学科研究，并面临着向中学公民科学家教授研究方法的挑战，作为他们教师教育准备的一部分。

项目成果

Detecting microplastics in a great lakes watershed with undergraduate students

与本科生一起检测五大湖流域的微塑料

• DOI: 10.33424/futurum123
• 发表时间: 2021-04
• 期刊: Futurum Careers
• 作者: Peller; Julie
• 通讯作者: Julie

Detecting Microplastics in Soil and Sediment in an Undergraduate Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Experiment That Promotes Skill Building and Encourages Environmental Awareness

在本科生环境化学实验室实验中检测土壤和沉积物中的微塑料，促进技能培养并鼓励环境意识

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00392
• 发表时间: 2019-01
• 期刊: Journal of Chemical Education
• 影响因子: 3
• 作者: Rowe, Laura;Kubalewski, Maria;Clark, Robert;Statza, Emily;Goyne, Thomas;Leach, Katie;Peller, Julie
• 通讯作者: Peller, Julie