What can we do about microplastics in our ocean and drinking water if we don't even know how much is out there?

To help solve this problem (and save themselves from having to painstakingly count tiny particles captured in filters), Beckett Colson and Sarah Youngs of WHOI's Chemical Sensors Lab have developed a portable tool that can analyze freshwater for microplastics. They can bring the device, named Scout, to any lake, river, or drinking water supply and immediately get a read on the size and quantity of plastics in that water! ⁠
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The two scientists are working on a smaller prototype that can one day be used on underwater robots, or even attach to your kitchen faucet. This tech will help scientists and resource managers understand the scale of the microplastic problem– and allow them to target and assess the outcome of cleanup efforts.⁠
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📲 Learn more about WHOI’s Microplastics Initiative:microplastics.whoi.edu/