Microplastic Contamination in Karst Groundwater Systems

Author

Samuel V. Panno
Walton R. Kelly
John Scott
Wei Zheng
Rachel E. McNeish
Nancy Holm
Timothy J. Hoellein
Elizabeth L. Baranski

Files

Publication Date

3-1-2019

Publication Title

Groundwater

Volume Number

57

Issue Number

2

Abstract

Groundwater in karst aquifers constitutes about 25% of drinking water sources globally. Karst aquifers are open systems, susceptible to contamination by surface‐borne pollutants. In this study, springs and wells from two karst aquifers in Illinois, USA, were found to contain microplastics and other anthropogenic contaminants. All microplastics were fibers, with a maximum concentration of 15.2 particles/L. The presence of microplastic was consistent with other parameters, including phosphate, chloride and triclosan, suggesting septic effluent as a source. More studies are needed on microplastic sources, abundance, and impacts on karst ecosystems.

Document Type

Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/ 10.1111/gwat.12862

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Panno, Samuel V.; Kelly, Walton R.; Scott, John; Zheng, Wei; McNeish, Rachel E.; Holm, Nancy; Hoellein, Timothy J.; and Baranski, Elizabeth L., "Microplastic Contamination in Karst Groundwater Systems" (2019). KIP Articles. 9992.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/9992