Microplastics (MPs) are a ubiquitous contaminant of emerging concern that have increasingly become a research topic of widespread interest. Unlike marine environments, data pertaining to freshwater streams remain limited, particularly within relatively undeveloped headwater basins. During this presentation, we will examine data collected by an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research team on (1) the concentrations of MP within two headwater streams in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina over ~1 year, (2) the spatial and temporal variations in those concentrations, and (3) the relationships between MPs in air, water, sediments and caddisflies. MP concentrations in water are surprisingly high, reaching maximum values of 65.1 MPs/L and fall within the upper quartile of those reported globally. Approximately 90 % of MPs are fibers. Compositionally, MPs were dominated by polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), Nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Spatially, concentrations in water increased with increasing development, indicating anthropogenic inputs from urbanized areas. MP concentrations were also elevated in forested tributary subbasins with limited human activities, presumably because of high atmospheric depositional rates (ranging between 7.6 and 449.8 MPs/m²/day). Temporally, MP concentrations during storm events increased, decreased, or remained the same in comparison to base flows, depending on the site. Concentrations in sediments appear to be less dependent on inputs from urban areas and more dependent on channel hydrologic characteristics which influence the exchange of MPs between the channel bed sediments and the water column. Thus, the observed spatial and temporal variations in concentrations in water and sediments appear to be related to the complex interplay between precipitation and runoff intensities, channel transport characteristics, and MP source locations and contributions. Preliminary data also show that MPs in water and sediment are accumulated in caddisflies and their casings.

Continuing Education Credits:  This forum will provide 1 PDH (professional development hour) credit upon completion of registration and evaluations that will be sent with the final event information. Each professional must determine if the content is relevant to his/her individual practice and suitable for his/her continuing education.

Bring a Friend Along to the NCWRA Luncheon for only $5! (with the purchase of a regular member luncheon forum admission fee)
Is there a young professional who has recently arrived on the scene at your company or co-worker that is new to North Carolina? Are you looking for quality, affordable, PDHs?  Is there someone at your workplace interested in meeting others in the water resources field, learning about what’s happening in water resources research, policy and implementation?  If so, then we encourage members to bring a friend to the next NCWRA luncheon. We are looking for “fresh faces” to benefit from the valuable, yet affordable, professional development and networking opportunities that our state chapter of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) has to offer.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Jerry R. Miller, Whitmire Professor of Environmental Science

Dr. Jerry R. Miller is the Blanton J. Whitmire Professor of Environmental Science at Western Carolina University.  He earned his B.S. degree in geology in 1982, and a Ph.D. in 1990, from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.  He received an M.S. degree in geology in 1985 from the University of New Mexico. He has over 25 years of research experience in the cycling of toxic trace metals, microplastics, and other contaminants in rivers and lakes as well as the restoration and management of riparian ecosystems.

Tickets

$30.00 Member Registration
$35.00 after 08:30 am November 22

$40.00 Non-member registration
$45.00 after 08:30 am November 22

$15.00 Student Member Registration

$35.00 Member Plus Bring a Friend Registration
$40.00 after 08:30 am November 22

$350.00 Luncheon Sponsor

$30.00 Webinar
$35.00 after 08:30 am November 22

$40.00 Webinar Non-member
$45.00 after 08:30 am November 22

$100.00 Group Webinar Registration
$105.00 after 08:30 am November 22