So Many Microplastics, So Little Time…
Turns out, not all microplastics are created equal. Who knew?
As we dive into the wild world of microplastics, we’re quickly learning that there are many types of microplastics. Let’s start with the big three:
- films
- fragments
- fibres
These are known as “morphologies” or “morphotypes” – think of them as categories. Of course, before we can get to morphology, it’s also helpful to understand that there is another level of microplastics which includes:
- Primary
- Secondary
Primary microplastics are purpose-built for a specific task. Think microbeads in face scrubs or toothpaste. Nurdles, or pre-production plastic pellets (what all plastic items are made from) are also an example of primary microplastics. Secondary microplastics are the stuff you see along wrack lines on beaches, the tiny fragments, fibres, and films sloughed off from larger, macro plastics. What is now microplastic once started its life as a bottle, bag, or rope.
In this project, we’re looking for any and all microplastics but we expect we’ll find more secondary microplastics in both Okanagan Lake and Kelowna’s wastewater. Why? Well, for starters, more and more companies are phasing out the use of microbeads in personal care products. There also isn’t a big plastics production industry in Kelowna, an industry where nurdles might be common.
But, we will have to wait and see! Stay tuned for more updates as we gear up to get out in the field.
For more on the big world of small plastics, check out this resource from National Geographic.
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