MICROPLACTICS UBIQUITY IN A SOUTHERN U.S. DRINKING WATER RESERVOIR AND REMOVAL DURING CONVENTIONAL DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES

Beaver Lake, a man-made reservoir in Northwest Arkansas, is the drinking water source for 1-in-5 (580,000) Arkansans. Like other emerging contaminants of concern, microplastics (MP) (<5 mm) are becoming more pervasive in our freshwater systems. While MP research in marine systems appears robust, the study of MP in freshwater reservoirs is relatively new, with methods for their collection and analysis currently under development by various researchers. Our current research on Beaver Lake utilizes a spatial and temporal analysis of MP using a Manta trawl and in-situ pump filtration through a series of stacked sieves. Size classification analysis, in-lake particle concentrations, MP source analysis, as well as an analysis of MP removal efficiency using conventional drinking water treatment will be determined. Selected methods were developed utilizing the limited number of citations available for reservoir MP research, advisors in freshwater MP research, as well as data collected in the process of developing our metrics. Preliminary testing and microscopy of MP in Beaver Lake indicates presence of MP fibers, flakes, and pellets in the riverine and transitional zones up-reservoir of the drinking water treatment plant intake. Future research topics could include analysis of MP in lacustrine, benthic, and shoreline zones of Beaver Lake.

Primary Presenter: Matthew Rich, Beaver Water District (matthewwrich@gmail.com)

Authors:

Matthew Rich, Beaver Water District  (mrich@bwdh2o.org)