Sources, dispersion and fate of microplastics discharged in Strait of Georgia: Wastewater treatment plant effluent and combined sewer overflows in Metro Vancouver

This research aims to determine and study the sources of MPs in the SoG and identify the processes controlling MP dispersal within the MetroVancouver area. The majority of marine MPs are suspected to originate from and-based sources including
wastewater and stormwater/ road runoff. This project will assist in the identification and quantification of the various land-based pathways of MP release from MetroVancouver’s urban watershed through the measurement of the spatial and temporal
variations of MP concentrations and composition in the wastewater being discharged from the MetroVancouver region. This will be done through the collection and analysis of samples taken from the effluent of three wastewater treatment plants (Iona
Island, Annacis Island and Lions Gate), as well as from various combined sewer overflow (combination of stormwater runoff and untreated wastewater) locations within Metro Vancouver.

Faculty Supervisor:

Maite Maldonado

Student:

Partner:

Metro Vancouver

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Public administration

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: