Session: Undergraduate Research Posters: Environmental Chemistry:

Microplastics are a problem that affects aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This research has established the first record of the number of microplastics found on the sand of el Tuque beach in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The research aimed to count and categorize the different types of microplastics found at different depths of the beach sand. Monthly sand sampling were conducted at El Tuque Beach in Ponce Puerto Rico. Sand was collected at different depths: 6 cm, 9 cm and 12 cm. Samples were collected from three places on the beach, with a distance between them of 100 meters. The sand sampling was made in a quadrant with an area of 25cm. Afterwards the sand was closed and stored in properly labeled bags and then each sand sample was processed by the density separator. Finally, the microplastics found in the sand samples were observed through a microscope to classify and count them. For data analysis, the different sampling periods were compared, as well as the microplastic content at different depths.

Danilberto Ortíz-González

Appearances