There is mounting evidence that microplastics present a significant threat to aquatic organisms. The National Park Service (NPS) Water Resources Division (WRD) considers microplastic pollution a priority issue, recognizing that the physical and chemical effects of sustained ingestion of microplastic particles may further stress aquatic organisms and birds within the parks.

This study will look at two NPS waterways: Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Upper, Middle, and Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River. This includes a gradient of land uses, from relatively pristine to heavily urban with significant wastewater contributions.

Each park will be sampled to determine:

• The occurrence of microplastics in different stream and lake compartments (water column and sediment)
• Land uses associated with different types of microplastics
• The potential risk to aquatic organisms, as measured by ingestion
  

Project Publications

• Microplastics in the Delaware River

• Microplastics in the Delaware River

• Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 2017-2018

• Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake