Microplastics: Nacogdoches County’s Hidden Threat

Microplastics and their threat to marine environments are well known, but studies in freshwater environments are few and far between. Microplastics can be created by the breaking down of plastics or in the process of making plastics. They affect biological lifeforms in a multitude of ways, water temperature, permeability of the sediment. Pollution in Texas waterways have motivated groups like the Environmental Protection Agency, Trash Free Texas, and Environment Texas to get involved. The objectives of this study are two analyze Bonita and La Nana Bayou for microplastic presence and to educate and create awareness for Nacogdoches County on microplastics. This study uses the Assessment of Microplastic in Great Plains: Comparing densities in water and benthic sediment across Kansas as a guiding reference. Samples were filtered through a 300 μm mesh sieve, rinsed and fixed with 15mL of 0.1N KOH for 14 days. Microplastics were found in each sample. Data was analyzed using ANOVA Single Factor Test to confirm the hypothesis that the sample sites will not equal one another. Future studies should include more samples and experience.