How Much is Too Much? The Development of a Microplastic Pollution Significance Threshold for the Port Phillip Bay

About

As part of my Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), I collaborated with the Port Phillip EcoCentre and three other students to develop a microplastic pollution threshold model for Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne, Australia. Our team conducted extensive research through expert interviews with university professors, waterkeepers, and EPA officials, while also performing comprehensive literature review on microplastic pollution. We developed a three-component system for implementing a microplastic threshold: sampling and measurement methods, species sensitivity analysis, and enforcement strategies. The project addressed the complexities of monitoring and regulating microplastic pollution, particularly given the challenges of tracing pollution sources and implementing effective measurement techniques. We created educational materials and visual aids to help stakeholders understand and implement our recommendations.

This work was completed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and can be found in their digital library.

My Work

As a member of this project team, I served as the primary author for several key sections of our report. I wrote the “What are Microplastics?”, “The Current Developments of Microplastic Regulation in California”, and “Enforcement and Prevention” sections. I also contributed significantly to the Introduction, Conclusions, and Methods sections. Additionally, I was responsible for creating all infographics throughout the paper and designed key project deliverables, including the Australasian Snapper Poster and the sampling methods chart. These visual elements were crucial in communicating our findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

The Paper

The paper can be accessed at the WPI online library here or below.