Presentation Type
Poster
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Eric Rosch, Marine Science
Major
Marine Science
Presentation Abstract
There is growing evidence of the prevalence of microplastics in nearly all environments, including beaches. Despite beaches being valuable locations for tourism, recreation, and natural habitats, very little is currently known about the level of microplastics within them, especially during renourishment. The beach renourishment project on Pawley's Island, SC took place from October 2019 to March 2020. Sand samples were taken from the north end of the island in three locations along the beach from the foreshore, backshore, and dunes at predetermined distances from the nearest major structure (a pier). Prior to renourishment, distance from the pier had an impact on microplastic concentrations as well as beach zone with higher levels in the foreshore areas. With the completion of the renourishment project in March 2020, data will be analyzed to determine how the project has affected microplastic concentrations both spatially and temporally.
Location
Virtual Poster Session 2
Start Date
22-4-2021 4:30 PM
End Date
22-4-2021 6:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Rothwell, Madeline, "Tracking microplastics throughout a beach renourishment project on Pawley's Island, South Carolina" (2021). Undergraduate Research Competition. 64.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2021/fullconference/64
Tracking microplastics throughout a beach renourishment project on Pawley's Island, South Carolina
Virtual Poster Session 2
There is growing evidence of the prevalence of microplastics in nearly all environments, including beaches. Despite beaches being valuable locations for tourism, recreation, and natural habitats, very little is currently known about the level of microplastics within them, especially during renourishment. The beach renourishment project on Pawley's Island, SC took place from October 2019 to March 2020. Sand samples were taken from the north end of the island in three locations along the beach from the foreshore, backshore, and dunes at predetermined distances from the nearest major structure (a pier). Prior to renourishment, distance from the pier had an impact on microplastic concentrations as well as beach zone with higher levels in the foreshore areas. With the completion of the renourishment project in March 2020, data will be analyzed to determine how the project has affected microplastic concentrations both spatially and temporally.