Microplastics in the Environment Experiment

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this activity, learners will:
  • Develop proper sample collection techniques for water and sediment
  • Separate sample solutions to isolate for plastics via density separation
  • Visually inspect plastics with a microscope to identify plastic-type and colour

Curriculum Connections

AB Science Curriculum Gr. 9-10
ON Science Curriculum Gr. 9-10

Length of Activity

1 - 2 hours

Materials List

  • Eco 360 notebook (we recommend asking learners to maintain a notebook for this program to write down reflections as they go through the program)
  • Water source
  • Plankton net (student grade with a mesh size between 25 and 150 μm diameter)
  • Meter stick to measure the water flow rate
  • PFDs or any other required safety devices
  • 1L glass bottle
  • Aluminum foil
  • Metal shovel
  • Glass jar
  • Scale
  • PE or PP plastic with a bright colour
  • 500 mL Beaker
  • Microscope (from 2x to 40x objective lens) or magnifier
  • Sediment, dirt, or sand
  • Saturated NaCl solution
  • Metal spatula
  • Sieve (300 µm mesh size)
  • Forceps

Online Lesson Format