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Plastics have been incorporated into everyday life due to their versatility, yet when microplastic particles enter natural fluvial systems, they pollute the surrounding environment and pose potential human health risks. As state and federal agencies develop regulations for microplastics in natural systems, it is important to properly assess potential sources of pollution and the concentration of microplastic particles in freshwater environments; however, microplastic pollution in small streams can be complex to investigate because of their dynamic hydrography and lack of standardization in microplastic sample collection and quantification. In this study, a unique low-cost sampling station was designed to collect microplastics from surface water in a shallow urban freshwater stream. The goal is to understand the variation in microplastic concentrations across a watershed at baseflow. Surface water samples were collected and analyzed from five sites along Hunnicutt Creek, a suburban freshwater stream located in Clemson, SC. The sampling station was deployed in the upper water column long enough to allow 10 m3 of surface water through a sampling net. Seven sampling events occurred at five sampling sites across the Hunnicutt Creek watershed. Surface water samples indicate that the microplastic abundance increased from the top of the watershed (269 ± 30 particles/10 m3) to the bottom of the watershed (715 ± 93 particles/10 m3). Fibers were the dominant morphology identified in the system, which accounted for 99.7% of the microplastic particles sampled. There was a significant difference in the microplastic concentrations between sampling sites moving down the watershed (F = 53.27, df = 4, p < 0.001), with the highest concentrations at the bottom of the watershed (or at the confluence of the tributaries). This work contributes to the understanding of how microplastics move at low-flow/baseflow conditions in small freshwater streams, which are common throughout global communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "AEESP Spotlight: Early 2025" article highlights selected research articles from the Environmental Engineering Science journal, focusing on microplastics, eco-coronas, and soil microbiology after wildfires. The research emphasizes the environmental challenges posed by microplastics, the formation of eco-coronas on microplastics in water bodies, and the impact of wildfires on soil microbial communities. The studies suggest the need for deeper knowledge and effective strategies to manage microplastics and mitigate their adverse effects on the environment. The research contributes to understanding the complex interactions between pollutants and natural systems, offering insights for environmental engineering and science practices. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a spotlight column from the journal Environmental Engineering Science, highlighting selected articles from the April through August 2024 issues. One article discusses the importance of accurately characterizing carpet dust microbial communities using DNA extraction and PCR amplification methods. The study found that established protocols could underestimate the quantity of microbes, particularly fungal species, and that sample size may impact results. Another article explores unintended consequences related to lead pipe corrosion control in a drinking water system. The addition of orthophosphate led to the formation of white precipitate that clogged plumbing fixtures, and the study identified the optimal phosphate dose for proper corrosion control. Lastly, a study examined the environmental impacts of academic conferences, with transportation being the largest contributor. The researchers suggested measures such as carpooling and minimizing food waste to reduce the carbon footprint of conferences. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a spotlight column from the journal Environmental Engineering Science, highlighting selected articles from the December 2023 to March 2024 issues. One article discusses a faculty mentoring program developed by the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP), which pairs junior faculty with mentors to support their professional development. The article emphasizes the importance of factors such as university type, personality, research area, parental and marital status, and race/ethnicity in the mentor-mentee pairing process. Another article explores the potential of vertical hydroponic systems using effluents from anaerobic membrane bioreactors to grow lettuce in urban areas with limited land access. The study demonstrates that proper lighting and knowledge of nutrient concentration are crucial for efficient lettuce growth. A third article investigates the role of membrane thickness and porosity in reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) processes for desalination and wastewater treatment. The study finds that membrane porosity, determined by pore size and thickness, affects sodium chloride removal and ion flux. Lastly, a study evaluates sampling strategies for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater treatment plants, highlighting the effectiveness of composite sampling for capturing overall community conditions and grab sampling for identifying specific outbreak locations. The information presented in these articles can be valuable for researchers and practitioners in the field of environmental engineering and science. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a spotlight column from the journal Environmental Engineering Science, highlighting selected articles from the August through November 2023 issues. One article discusses a study conducted by students at Columbia University on the water quality claims of showerhead filters sold on Amazon. The study found that the filters did not meet most of the investigated water quality claims. Another article explores the energy generation potential from wastewater treatment facilities and the challenges of achieving energy neutrality. A third article examines the effectiveness of preoxidation treatments in controlling the formation of a carcinogenic agent called N-nitrosodimethylamine in drinking water. The final article focuses on the occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in surface waters and their interactions. It also discusses the development of affordable methods for treating chromium-polluted groundwater in a marginalized community in India. [Extracted from the article]

Nguyen I et al. i ([2]) explore stannous chloride for its ability to reduce chromium(VI) to chromium(III) as part of a drinking water treatment train. This article provides needed information for water treatment practitioners who are weighing various options for treating drinking water sources containing chromium. Stannous chloride reductive treatment and kinetics using hexavalent chromium in water supplies. [Extracted from the article]