Trent University School of Environment professor Dr. Julian Aherne, and Environmental & Life Sciences Ph.D. student, Brittany Welsh ’16 are among 79 researchers belonging to the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON) who have co-authored a new report on plastic debris in global aquatic systems.
Professor Aherne, a former Canada Research Chair in Environmental Modelling, says this study gives us a better picture of the fate of plastic waste in the environment.
“Large scale collaborative projects are key to understanding solving global environmental problems,” says Prof. Aherne. “The primary focus for plastics and microplastics research has been marine environments. Through this international coordination, we were able to conduct the first globally comparable study on microplastics in freshwater by standardizing our sampling methods to compare data from water samples collected from lakes around the world.”
Microplastics prevalent in freshwater systems
The study looks at plastic debris in surface water samples collected across 38 lakes and reservoirs located in 23 countries, across six continents, with varying population densities and environmental conditions.
One of the main findings from the study, which is published in Nature, is that microplastic concentrations are equally, if not more, prevalent in freshwater systems compared to the marine (ocean) environment.
“The results show that freshwater systems are not just a transport pathway for plastics to the ocean. They are also a reservoir, meaning they can store and accumulate plastic,” says Brittany (Gzowski College), whose doctoral research on the fate of microplastics in background headwater lakes in Muskoka-Haliburton is supervised by Prof. Aherne.
Ranking highest in concentrations of plastic debris were Lake Maggiore in Italy, Lake Lugano in Switzerland, and Lake Tahoe in the U.S.
Among the first studies using standardized aquatic samples
This is one of the first studies to provide a global perspective on concentrations of plastic debris larger than 250 microns (93.8 per cent were classified as microplastic at five millimeters) in freshwater systems using standardized aquatic samples.
“These samples not only provide a consistent picture of plastic contamination in freshwater systems across the globe, but also allow for comparison between sites,” says Brittany.
Two local lakes studied
Working alongside Professor Aherne, Brittany collected surface trawl samples from two Muskoka lakes: Dickie Lake and Plastic Lake, ironically.
“Plastic Lake is an interesting catchment in that it’s a remote and pristine lake with no cottages or permanent dwellings. Yet, my work there shows that microplastics are being deposited in and around the lake,” says Brittany.
This contradicts an earlier-held notion that linked the presence of plastic in freshwater systems directly to anthropogenic (people-related) activities.
“We can use the data from this study to ask questions such as, ‘what drives the abundance in lakes,’ and bring greater awareness to microplastic contamination,” says Prof. Aherne.
As for how long microplastics stay in freshwater systems, the local sampling by Trent researchers found the residence period can be up to a decade.
Cleanup efforts need to focus on freshwater systems
Since freshwater systems are also used for drinking water and recreation, it’s important to focus cleanup efforts in this area.
“Identifying where the plastic is in the environment gives us important initial information on how to move forward with policy makers,” says Brittany. “We’ve already made some positive steps in the right direction by eliminating plastic straws, plastic bags, and plastic beads from our facial cleansers and cleaning products.”
As the Water Stewardship Director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, I am excited to share my thoughts on a recent landmark report co-authored by Professor Julian Aherne of Trent University School of Environment and Environmental & Life Sciences Ph.D. student Brittany Welsh. This study, published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature, delivers crucial insights into the presence and prevalence of microplastics in freshwater environments globally.
The collaboration of 79 international scientists from the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON) is a testament to the strength and necessity of global scientific cooperation in tackling environmental issues. The data collection method used in the study set a new standard for future research, making the study results globally comparable – an achievement in its own right.
The report’s findings underline a significant shift in our understanding of microplastic pollution. Previously, the consensus was that marine environments were the central repositories of these pollutants. However, this research has shown that freshwater bodies can match, if not exceed, the concentrations found in oceans. Even the remotest and most pristine water bodies, like the aptly named ‘Plastic Lake,’ are not spared from the reach of these contaminants.
Here in the Okanagan region, these findings resonate strongly with our work. We are dedicated to understanding and reducing microplastic pollution in our local freshwater systems through the Okanagan Microplastic Initiative (https://microplasticsokanagan.com/). This local project focuses on studying surface waters, waste and stormwater, beach litter, and raising public awareness. Our initiatives align perfectly with the findings of the Trent University study, underlining the need for a broad-based, collaborative approach to mitigating this pressing environmental concern.
The Okanagan project illustrates how local action can have far-reaching impacts through its partnerships with local communities, NGOs, and government organizations. Through projects like this, the global scientific community can understand the realities of microplastic pollution and develop innovative strategies to tackle it.
Looking at the microplastic problem from my vantage point, I see the urgency and importance of better understanding our local freshwater systems. As a community, we rely on these systems for drinking water and recreation, making them critical to our health and well-being. Hence, this study serves as a timely reminder of the need to focus on freshwater systems in our fight against microplastics.
In conclusion, Aherne and Welsh’s study is a pivotal step forward in our collective understanding of microplastic pollution. It highlights freshwater bodies as crucial battlegrounds in our global fight against plastic waste. Combined with local, action-oriented initiatives like the Okanagan project, it signals a new phase in our struggle against complex environmental degradation—one filled with challenges but teeming with opportunities for positive, collective impact.