Toward Sustainable Engineering: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Addressing Microplastic Pollution in the Gulf Coast

Event Description:

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, posing a growing environmental challenge, particularly in aquatic environments and ecosystems. Addressing microplastic pollution requires a systematic and collaborative effort across multiple areas of expertise. This presentation will highlight an initiative by the Gulf Coast Center for Addressing Microplastics Pollution (GC-CAMP), established at the University of South Alabama, which aims to leverage resources to tackle this issue. The presentation will provide an overview and highlight research progress in several key areas, including characterization of microplastics in wastewater treatment facilities across Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida; novel microplastic adsorption research; techniques for improved microplastic measurement; and potential reuse of microplastics in asphalt applications. Additionally, the presentation will showcase other initiatives at the University of South Alabama, such as the NSF REU Site program, Plastics Circularity Education Hub, and Solid Waste Sustainability Hub.