Microplastic contamination has been well documented in freshwater lakes and rivers over the last decade. A three-year observational study was completed to determine the extent of microplastic occurrence in Lake George, a large oligotrophic lake in upstate New York, USA. Microplastics were quantified in samples collected from the Lake’s surface using a manta net, throughout the water column using a plankton net, from lake sediments and in benthic organisms that inhabit the lake. Microplastic densities in lake surface, water column and sediment samples were comparable to abundances observed in published studies in nearby water bodies. Native and invasive bivalves were dissected to determine if microplastics were present. Minimal plastic contamination was observed in the native mussel species (Elliptio complanata) whereas up to twenty microplastic particles were observed in a dissected invasive Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea). Weekly analyses of microplastics in invasive clams identified a strong seasonal component to the prevalence and abundance of microplastics observed in these organisms. These data have identified that microplastic contamination is present in this large oligotrophic lake and that plastics have entered the benthic organisms.

Primary Presenter: Sandra Nierzwicki-Bauer, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (nierzs@rpi.edu)

Authors:

David Winkler, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darrin Fresh Water Institute   (winkld@rpi.edu)

Jeremy Farrell, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darrin Fresh Water Institute   (farrej2@rpi.edu)

Monika LaPlante, Lake George Association  (laplantemonika@gmail.com)

Jack Girard, University of Rhode Island  ()

Sandra Nierzwicki-Bauer, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darrin Fresh Water Institute  (nierzs@rpi.edu)