The Plastisphere: Plastic Migration and Its Impacts
While plastic is a growing source of pollution problems, we have many bright ideas as solutions.Copyright 2011 epSos.de, Wikimedia Commons CC BY 1.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_Pollution.jpg
Students are introduced to the growing worldwide environmental problems that stem from plastic waste. What they learn about microplastics and the typical components of the U.S. water treatment process prepares them to conduct three engaging associated activities. During the lesson, students become more aware of the pervasiveness and value of plastic as well as the downstream pollution and health dangers. They learn how plastic materials don’t go away, but become microplastic pollution that accumulates in water resources as well as human and other animal bodies. They examine their own plastic use, focusing on what they discard daily, and think about better ways to produce or package those items to eliminate or reduce their likelihood of ending up as microplastic pollution. A concluding writing assignment reveals their depth of comprehension. The lesson is enhanced by arranging for a local water treatment plant representative to visit the class for Qs and As. In three associated activities, students design/test microplastic particle filtering methods for commercial products, create mini wastewater treatment plant working models that remove waste and reclaim resources from simulated wastewater, and design experiments to identify the impact of microplastics on micro-invertebrates.
Plastic pollution is a rising concern that demands new research methods to identify and quantify the amount of plastic in our waterways and to observe and measure the impacts of this plastic. Environmental engineers identify potential hazards in water supplies and evaluate different methods for treating water resources for drinking or releasing back into the environment. They use mechanical and chemical processes to remove toxic and biotic pollutants. By learning about the microplastic pollutants found in local waterways and the processes used to purify or treat water (in this lesson), students are ready to develop their own methods to model and build on these critical processes (in the associated activities).eria, biomagnification, discarded hydrocarbons, ecology, environment, environmental impact, filtration, hydrocarbons, microbead, microplastics, microscopy, microorganisms, plastic, plastisphere, pollution, polyethylene, single use, sustainability, waste, water pollution, water treatment, wastewater treatment, writing assignment
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe ways their lives might be different without the benefits of plastic.
- Explain some ways that microplastics get into our bodies.
- Explain how microplastic pollution can result from both ordinary plastic use and plastic disposal.
- Think of ways that daily disposed-of plastic items could be produced or packaged to eliminate or reduce their likelihood of becoming microplastic pollution.
- (optional; extension activity) Interpret and draw conclusions from scientific journal articles.