​The purpose of our lab is to investigate plastics through a series of ongoing research projects.  We not only look at plastic in the environment but also help to support policies necessary to mitigate the negative impacts caused by plastic pollution.  Our research is designed to provide students of all ages applied learning opportunities both in the field as well as in a laboratory setting. Students partake in ongoing research projects potentially working with members from a myriad of disciplines i.e. Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Studies, etc. Students gain an overview of the plastic pollution crisis based on UNCW's instructor Monteleone’s educational tool, 8 Problems with Plastics in the Marine Environment.

The targeted area of fieldwork focuses on coastal waters (spoil island and beaches) and (weather dependent) the outer-edge of the Sargasso Sea (the Gulf Stream) leaving from Beaufort, NC to the continental slope. This research initiative provides opportunities for student inquiry within and outside of the sciences to gain experience and understanding of plastic marine debris, applicable laws and policies, and potentially learning how to run the FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) as well as other instrumentation. Students gain practical experience on how to follow a protocol, measure chemicals, and process samples. It is a true confidence builder. 

We are also an independent lab for hire.
Contact Kayla West, Laboratory Director, kayla@plasticoceanproject.org to learn more.
​

Areas of research

Plastic in freshwater

Plastic in Sea water

Plastic ingestion by animals

​​PLASTIC IN SEDIMENT

STUDENT PROJECTS

UNCW PLASTIC MARINE DEBRIS COURSE

​Since Fall 2016, POP has partnered with UNC-Wilmington to offer undergraduate and graduate students a new course, Marine Debris - EVS 495/582. Students conduct semester-long research projects and explore a variety of methodologies and technologies for analyzing local plastic debris. Students also participate in offshore excursions to collect plastic debris from the Gulf Stream. After the semester is completed, students present their work to the class with the opportunity to present a poster at the Ocean Advocacy Workshop.

Instrumentation

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ftir)

The FTIR allows us to identify microparticles based on the IR light reflected back to the sensors.

attenuated total reflectance (atr)

The ATR allows us to identify larger particles based on the IR light reflected back to the sensors.

solar simulator

This instrument allows us to degrade plastics via light and heat similar to that of the sun.

Funded by the Landfall Foundation

Publications

Stienbarger, C. D.; Joseph, J.; Athey, S. N.; Monteleone, B.; Andrady, A. L.; Watanabe, W. O.; Seaton, P.; Taylor, A. R.; Brander, S. M. Direct Ingestion, Trophic Transfer, and Physiological Effects of Microplastics in the Early Life Stages of Centropristis Striata, a Commercially and Recreationally Valuable Fishery Species. Environ. Pollut. 2021, 285, 117653. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2021.117653.

Athey, S. N.; Albotra, S. D.; Gordon, C. A.; Monteleone, B.; Seaton, P.; Andrady, A. L.; Taylor, A. R.; Brander, S. M. Trophic Transfer of Microplastics in an Estuarine Food Chain and the Effects of a Sorbed Legacy Pollutant. Limnol. Oceanogr. Lett. 2020, 5 (1), 154–162. https://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10130.

Zettler, E. R.; Takada, H.; Monteleone, B.; Mallos, N.; Eriksen, M.; Amaral-Zettler, L. A. Incorporating Citizen Science to Study Plastics in the Environment. Anal. Methods 2017, 9 (9), 1392–1403. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AY02716D.

The Ocean Cleanup. How the Oceans Can Clean Themselves: A Feasibility Study. 2014. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34283.54566.