Microplastic pollution in Southern Illinois lakes: A growing concern

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in length. They can come from a variety of sources, including plastic bags, bottles, and clothing. Microplastics can be harmful to the environment because they can be ingested by animals and can leach toxic chemicals into the water.

Microplastic pollution in Southern Illinois lakes

A recent study by Southern Illinois University found that microplastic pollution is a growing concern in Southern Illinois lakes. The study found that microplastics were present in all of the lakes that were tested, and that the concentration of microplastics was highest in lakes that were near urban areas.

The effects of microplastic pollution on aquatic life

Microplastics can have a number of negative effects on aquatic life. They can be ingested by animals, which can lead to blockages in the digestive tract and starvation. Microplastics can also leach toxic chemicals into the water, which can harm animals and plants.

What can be done to reduce microplastic pollution?

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce microplastic pollution. These include:

• Reducing the use of plastic products
• Properly disposing of plastic waste
• Recycling plastic products
• Filtering wastewater to remove microplastics

Conclusion

Microplastic pollution is a growing concern in Southern Illinois lakes. This pollution can have a number of negative effects on aquatic life. There are a number of things that can be done to reduce microplastic pollution, including reducing the use of plastic products, properly disposing of plastic waste, recycling plastic products, and filtering wastewater to remove microplastics.