GREENFIELD-A new Connecticut River Conservancy initiative is slated to begin in May to sample for micro plastics, and volunteers will be needed for the undertaking.
“This is a brand new Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) water monitoring program, and, as far as we know, this is the first time the Connecticut River will be sampled for micro plastics,” said Angela Chaffee, CRC’s communications director. “This information doesn’t exist in the region and it’s an incredible opportunity to deepen our understanding of the health of local rivers.”
Ryan O’Donnell, water quality monitoring coordinator for the Connecticut River Conservancy, recently collected test samples in preparation for a program to begin this spring. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Chaffee noted that plastics in rivers has been an issue of importance to CRC for some time.
“During our annual Source to Sea Cleanup each fall, plastics are always among the most found items,” she said, adding, “but that only speaks to the larger plastic that we can see and pick up.”
Chaffee said CRC, formerly known as the Connecticut River Watershed Council, has never had an idea of how much micro plastic might be present in the river.
“Micro plastics are defined as less than 5mm in diameter and some can be too small to see,” said Chaffee. “Despite being so small, they pose a big risk to wildlife that often mistake it for food.”
Chaffee added that as the plastic degrades, it leeches chemicals into the water.
“We’ve been asked regularly by the public about this, there is an obvious interest to know more,” she said.
CRC staff members have been developing the project plans and testing their sample protocols by collecting test samples.
“We expect the full program to roll out this spring and tentatively run May through September,” said Chaffee, noting that sites will include two in the Vermont/New Hampshire portion of the Connecticut River, six sites in Massachusetts, and two sites in Connecticut.
“This work would not be possible without funding from Massachusetts Environmental Trust (environmental license plate program), the Conservation Law Foundation, and Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup,” said Chaffee.
Kelsey Wentling, the Connecticut River Conservancy’s river steward for Connecticut, holds a test sample for a new program aimed at determining micro plastics in the Connecticut River. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
For area residents interested in volunteering later this year, it is recommended to follow CRC on social media and sign up for ‘volunteer opportunities’ email news at https://www.ctriver.org/email-sign-up
“This is where notices for specific upcoming volunteer needs will be shared,” said Chaffee.
