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Poster
Quantifying Microplastic Pollution on Pensacola Beach Relative to Human Traffic and Sea Turtle Nesting Sites
University of West Florida Libraries
Student Scholar Symposium & Faculty Research Showcase (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 04/20/2023)
04/20/2023
Abstract
Plastics have become an integrated and vital part of human life. Plastics, particularly microplastics, have become ubiquitous in the natural environment and the full ecological impact has yet to be realized.2 Plastics can leak toxic chemicals into the environment, can be ingested by wildlife, and have even been found in the tissues of humans and animals.
Microplastics are defined as plastic smaller than 5 mm. Microplastics can be considered primary (plastics originally produced this size such as microbeads or fibers), or secondary (macroplastics that have broken down into smaller pieces such as fragments and foams).1 Plastics such as nets, bottles, clothing, styrofoam, and many other items can break down over time into microplastics. Microplastics can also enter the environment through runoff and wastewater.
Researching the density of microplastics in our environment can help us better understand the scope of microplastic contamination on our local beaches and can help us determine where the pollution is the most dense and how wildlife could be exposed to it.
Details
- Title
- Quantifying Microplastic Pollution on Pensacola Beach Relative to Human Traffic and Sea Turtle Nesting Sites
- Resource Type
- Poster
- Event
- Student Scholar Symposium & Faculty Research Showcase (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 04/20/2023)
- Contributors
- Alexis M Janosik (Faculty Mentor) - University of West Florida, Biology
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries; Argo Scholar Commons
- Format
- pdf
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries by the author to digitize and/or display this information for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380475296106600
- Academic Unit
- Biology; 2023 Student Scholars Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase; Office of Undergraduate Research; Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English