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Earth Sciences

2022

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Microplastic Transport

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Transport Of Polyethylene Microplastic Spheres In A Sandy Aquifer, Alyssa Marie Graveline Jan 2022

Transport Of Polyethylene Microplastic Spheres In A Sandy Aquifer, Alyssa Marie Graveline

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Microplastic particles are currently listed as a Contaminant of Emerging Concern (CEC) since they are in much of Earth’s water systems and recent studies indicate plastic particles can sorb toxic contaminants. Microplastics (MP) are defined as plastic particles under 5 mm in length. Currently, there is a paucity of data on the transport of MP in the subsurface. This study investigated the transport, filtration, retardation, and influence of 5-100ߎm plastic polyethylene spheres in a shallow sandy aquifer over a distance of 1m by utilizing two forced hydraulic gradient tracer studies. Slug tests were used to estimate hydraulic conductivity prior and …