Collecting and Comparing Microplastics on the Gulf Coast
This investigation will focus on the impact microplastics are making on the Gulf Coast. Water and sediment/sand samples will be collected at specific locations along the Gulf Coast and analyzed for microfibers, micro-fragments, and microbeads. Students will be comparing the amount of microplastics in each location, the type of microplastics in each location, and the areas that might be impacted due to different factors (location, season, currents, tourism). Data will be collected at the following points:
- Surface of the water at 0.5 meter of depth
Skills that will be developed in this activity will be water sampling skills, using a filtration system at the University of West Florida (UWF), partnering with scientists, using a microscope, observing, analyzing data, graphing data, interpreting data, measuring, planning, and critically thinking.
Authors: Michaela Norman, Elizabeth Eubanks; EARTH Satellite April 27, 2018 Pensacola
Lesson Resources
