The Pike County Conservation District in Pennsylvania is seeking public input to determine the presence of microplastics in local bodies of water. The District is asking residents to suggest rivers or streams of concern for testing via an online form. The initiative is part of a study funded by a 2024 state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Environmental Education grant.
The Conservation District will select locations for sampling based on factors such as the stream's location, accessibility, and access rights. Sampling is set to begin in early 2025, with results expected to be made public in March 2025. Following the analysis, the Conservation District plans to hold a discussion about the results and strategies to reduce microplastics.
According to the Pike County Courier, residents interested in participating in the study can fill out the form on the Conservation District's website. For further inquiries, residents can contact Conservation District watershed specialist Rachel Marques.