RHODE ISLAND: EPSCoR student tests for microplastic concentrations in key freshwater bodies

University of Rhode Island

This summer, Rhode Island EPSCoR undergrad Logan Beattie, University of Rhode Island, scoured freshwater locations across Rhode Island to find microplastics as part of his 2022 SURF project with URI's Dr. Coleen Suckling. “[Microplastics have] been shown to be very good at almost acting like sponges for some very harmful chemicals, such as chlorine, bromine, and lead, which could lead to issues with bioaccumulation,” explains Logan.