Shenghua Wu
University of South Alabama
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Focus Area(s):
Summary
The Gulf-Coast – Center for Addressing Microplastics Pollution (GC-CAMP) is established at the University of South Alabama to serve as a leader, advancing the state-of-the-art in the identification and management of waste plastic marine debris in the Gulf Coast. GC-CAMP aims to foster a shift in research towards the development of techniques and tools to help mitigate and prevent the presence of microplastics in the Gulf of Mexico. GC-CAMP will leverage available resources in three states along the Gulf Coast, including 10 waste water treatment facilities in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. TGC-CAMP will play a vital role in framing the Research to Application visions and practices by seamlessly incorporating the addressing of microplastics issues into the education and training of next-generation leaders in the environmental field. Through enhanced collaboration with various stakeholders, agencies, industries and communities, GC-CAMP will advance technology transfer and commercialization; enhance diversity, inclusion, and equity; and assist in building a more resilient and sustainable marine environment, benefiting communities across the Gulf Coast.
Project Leaders
Kaushik Venkiteshwaran
University of South Alabama
Jinhui Wang
University of South Alabama
Melike Dizbay-Onat
University of South Alabama
Alexandra Stenson
University of South Alabama
Min-Wook Kang
University of South Alabama
John Cleary
University of South Alabama
Yi Bao
Stevens Institute of Technology
Tina Miller-Way
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant/Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Project Date Range: 01-02-2023 to 03-31-2027
Keywords: microplastics, pollution
Objectives
Addressing the issue of microplastics is a long-term endeavor. By establishing the GCCAMP at the University of South Alabama, the project team plans to leverage institutional resources and partnerships to address microplastics issues in the Gulf Coast. They aim to accomplish our near-term objectives by:
Objective I: Understanding Microplastics Issues in the Gulf Coast: The source, intensity, and distribution of microplastics in the Gulf Coast marine environment’s sediment, beaches, rivers, creeks, and ocean will be identified and quantified. Water samples collected at waste water treatment facilities will be evaluated for the type and concentration of its microplastics. The effect of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health will be synthesized by a comprehensive literature review.
Objective II: Development of Cost-Effective Technologies to Remove Microplastics Entering into Gulf Coast: Cost-effective devices and technologies will be developed to remove microplastics from wastewater treatment plants before discharging treated wastewater into the Gulf Coast.
Objective III: Development of Technology to Quantify Microplastics: A costeffective sensor will be developed to quantify the concentration and types of microplastics. The microplastics data from Objective I will be used to train and validate the developed senor.
Objective IV: Development of Tools to Monitor Microplastics in Hot Spots: Ageographic information system (GIS) based network will be developed and implemented at local streams, rivers, and gutters to monitor microplastics concentration. A user-friendly app will be developed to help visualize the microplastics concentration in hot spots along the Gulf Coast.
Objective V: Education and Outreach: The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium will lead the outreach portion of this project. This will include helping the research team to work with utility company leaders and contractors to first identify operational constraints and opportunities, and then to assist with transitioning research results to application. Additionally, the University of South Alabama will leverage educational resources, such as various student organizations and partnerships with both the city of Mobile and the wider coastal community, to enhance community engagement and K-12 education. This outreach aims to both increase awareness towards the reduction of marine debris and to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in every effort.
Methodology
The specific Research to Application activities include (1) building a microplastics data library in the Gulf Coast to contribute knowledge of microplastics pollution in the regional water body, such as microplastics concentration, source, and type; (2) developing and implementing cost-effective technologies to effectively reduce microplastics in waste water treatment facilities and public water bodies; (3) developing a sensor technology capable of monitoring microplastics concentration in real time and identifying hot spots contributing significant microplastics to the marine environment; (4) enhancing public awareness of microplastics pollution; and (5) promoting environmental stewardship in marine debris removal and prevention through a far-reaching joint effort among regional industries, partnered agencies, and higher education institutions.