Year Two Microfiber Analysis of Lake Allatoona Sand and Water Using an Optimized Water Sampling Method and an Optimized Extraction Method
Disciplines
Environmental Chemistry | Environmental Monitoring
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This project is part of an on-going study of microfibers found in Lake Allatoona water and sand, as well as tap and deionized (DI) water. Water and sand samples from six different lake sites were collected, processed, and analyzed under a microscope for the presence of microfibers. Lake water samples were obtained using a newly optimized method involving hand-held sieves, and these results were compared to last year’s results using plankton nets. Tap and DI water samples were obtained from the laboratory and chemical stockroom and compared to blank results to test for possible carryover and contamination from DI water. It was concluded that the sites furthest downstream from the Allatoona Dam had the highest microfiber concentration, and the majority of 2023 lake water samples had a higher microfiber concentration than those from Summer 2022 using plankton nets. Tap water was more contaminated with microfibers than DI water.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Chemistry and Biochemistry
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Marina Koether
Year Two Microfiber Analysis of Lake Allatoona Sand and Water Using an Optimized Water Sampling Method and an Optimized Extraction Method
This project is part of an on-going study of microfibers found in Lake Allatoona water and sand, as well as tap and deionized (DI) water. Water and sand samples from six different lake sites were collected, processed, and analyzed under a microscope for the presence of microfibers. Lake water samples were obtained using a newly optimized method involving hand-held sieves, and these results were compared to last year’s results using plankton nets. Tap and DI water samples were obtained from the laboratory and chemical stockroom and compared to blank results to test for possible carryover and contamination from DI water. It was concluded that the sites furthest downstream from the Allatoona Dam had the highest microfiber concentration, and the majority of 2023 lake water samples had a higher microfiber concentration than those from Summer 2022 using plankton nets. Tap water was more contaminated with microfibers than DI water.