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Lake Ontario MicroPlastics Center (LOMP)

URMC / Environmental Medicine / Lake Ontario MicroPlastics Center / Research / Environmental microplastic particles

Biological activity of microplastics in near-shore water and air

Project Team

Lisa DeLouiseLisa 
DeLouise Alison ElderAlison 
Elder David ChalupaDavid 
Chalupa Alma Avila OropezaAlma Avila Oropeza Anthony GonzalezAnthony Gonzalez Kaylin HanKaylin 
Han

Project Description

Our objectives are to improve our understanding of human exposure to environmental microplastics (< 20 mm) in Lake Ontario near shore water and air. We will learn about the human health impacts associated with this exposure. Studies will also reveal how microplastic particles interact with pollutants to modify bioactivity. 

Research Questions

  • How do the concentration and composition of microplastics in near-shore water and air change over the seasons?
  • Do water-borne microplastics reflect what is found in the air?
  • How does the composition of the MP impact accumulation of metal and persistent organic pollutants?
  • How do microplastics interact with persistent organic and metal ion pollutants in the environment and in the body?

Illustration of how microplastics interact with environmental pollutants

Products/Resources

  1. Morgan, S. E., & DeLouise, L. A. (2024). Effects of microplastic interaction with persistent organic pollutants on the activity of the aryl hydrocarbon and estrogen receptors. Chemosphere, 365, 143338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143338 
  2. Morgan, S. E., & DeLouise, L. A. (2024). Assessing bioactivity of environmental water samples filtered using nanomembrane technology and mammalian cell lines. Eco-Environment & Health, 3(3), 347-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2024.05.004 
  3. Morgan, S. E., Romanick, S. S., DeLouise, L., McGrath, J., & Elder, A. (2024). Understanding Human Health Impacts Following Microplastic Exposure Necessitates Standardized Protocols. Current Protocols, 4(7), e1104. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpz1.1104
  4. Madejski, G. R., Ahmad, S. D., Musgrave, J., Flax, J., Madejski, J. G., Rowley, D. A., DeLouise, L. A., Berger, A. J., Knox, W. H., & McGrath, J. L. (2020). Silicon nanomembrane filtration and imaging for the evaluation of microplastic entrainment along a municipal water delivery route. Sustainability, 12(24), 10655. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410655 
  5. Morgan, S. E., & DeLouise, L. A. (2020). Further studies in translatable model systems are needed to predict the impacts of human microplastic exposure. Open access journal of toxicology, 4(3), 79.