Microplastics in the Sierra Nevada: From Peak to Pipe

Microplastics (plastic particles less than 5 millimeters) have received increased scientific attention as they have been found around the globe, including recent studies which have shown microplastic contamination in remote locations. However, questions remain about the sources, transport, and fate of microplastics deposited in the environment. I will present an overview of a new microplastic sample collection method we have been developing, some preliminary results from freshwaters from the Sierra Nevada, and future directions we plan to take this research.