Microplastics, plastic pieces less than 5mm in diameter, are a threat to marine ecosystems. The Port Phillip EcoCentre quantifies surface level microplastics entering Port Phillip Bay in order to advocate for policy to mitigate microplastic pollution in Australia. We worked with this organization to develop a method to collect microplastics at greater depths, between 0.2 to 2 meters below the water’s surface. We designed and tested a portable pump and created a how-to video and an instructional manual for its use. We also created an animation to show the consequences of microplastics and the importance of our project to the public.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lipkin, Thomas Walsh
• Donovan, Kathleen E.
• Hoagland, Spencer
• Stultz, Eric R.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121019-232121

Keyword

• Technology and Environment

Advisor

• Davis, Lindsay Greer
• Higgins, Lorraine D.

Year

• 2019

Center

• Melbourne, Australia Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• Port Phillip EcoCentre

Date created

• 2019-12-10

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright