Investigation: Microplastics in Snow

Instructions / How to do this investigation

MICROPLASTIC IN SNOW INVESTIGATION PROTOCOL

Edna Drinkwater School

Northport, Maine

ADVANCED PREPARATION:

1. Gather tools
2. Don’t wear polyester, if possible.
3. Label mason jars ahead of time: key for location and sample number

TOOLS:

Sample collection:

• Gloves (not plastic)
• 64 oz mason jars x 8
• Metal spoons or measuring cups (don’t put in plastic, use glass or metal)
• Warm gear/ boots
• Anemometer
• Data table
• Clipboard
• Pencil
• Camera

Filtering tools:

• Vacuum pump
• Tube for vacuum pump
• Filter funnel for vacuum pump (with lid)
• Funnel support base for vacuum pump
• Flask (1000 mL)
• Filters (5 micron)
• Metal forceps
• Petri dishes
• Tape
• Sharpie
• Microscope
• Lab coats (100% cotton so as not to contaminate)  

DATA COLLECTION STEPS:

Step 1: Gather sample collection tools

Step 2: Label the mason jars with location, and sample number. 

Step 3: Plan out groups to collect samples in different locations

Step 4: Dress warmly

Step 5: Walk to location (be careful where you collect the data so you are only

collecting fresh snow and so as not to contaminate the sample)

Step 6: Use anemometer to record temperature and wind speed (meters/second) in data table

Step 7: Use metal scooper to pick up snow samples

Step 8: Put snow samples into properly labeled mason jar until it’s at 1750 mL (in liquid form, will reduce to around 500 mL)

Step 9: Put the lid on

Step 10: Record the physical characteristics of the snow (Snowflakes, Graupel, Polycrystals)

Step 11: Record the type of precipitation (Blizzard, Snowstorm, Snow flurry, Snow squall) 

Step 12: Take a photo of the location

Step 13: Repeat with other locations

Step 43: Put the sample inside the classroom, preferably in a refrigerator

Step 15: Let the sample melt

Step 16: Use a weather almanac website and a map to record the following data for each snowstorm:

• Date
• Quantity of snowfall (cm)
• Duration of snowfall
• Direction of storm/wind
• Any bodies of water the storm passed over in its path

SAMPLE ANALYSIS STEPS

Filtering:

1. Put on lab coat
2. Check oil on side of pump for level to be in between minimum and maximum 
3. Connect tube onto brass tube twist 
4. Attach flask to tube
5. Remove blue top
6. Put blue base of filter container into flask 
7. Carefully pick up a 5 micron filter with forceps
8. Put filter onto container right side up, making sure it’s flat and centered
9. Put top section of filter back onto the base, making sure the magnetic pressure does not move the filter in the inside
10. Take lid off of container
11. Make sure all samples have the same amount of water to filter (500 mL) and pour extra out as needed
12. Pour 500 mL water sample into container 
13. Put lid back on
14. Turn on pump 
15. Run until water has filtered through entirely
16. Once finished, use metal forceps to remove filter
17. Carefully place into petri dish
18. Add colored tape to edges of sample to hold down filter inside petri dish 
19. Tape close two sides of petri dish
20. Record sample number and location on tape on cover of petri dish, making sure not to block sample from view.