[Eoas-seminar] Jordan Hopwood - MS Defense

[eoas-seminar at lists.fsu.edu]

Hi all,

Please join us for Jordan Hopwood's MS Defense on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM in EOAS 2036.

Title: Investigating microplastic concentrations in urban and rural lakes and their hydraulically connected springs.

Name: Jordan Hopwood
Date: October 28, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Room: EOAS 2036
Major Professor: Dr. Ming Ye


Abstract: Microplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental contaminants that have been documented in surface water and groundwater systems. Karst aquifers may be particularly vulnerable to MP contamination because sinkholes, fractures, and conduits provide pathways for surface water and associated particles to enter groundwater. This study investigated spatial and temporal variations in MP concentrations within two hydraulically connected lake-spring systems in north Florida: Lake Munson-Wakulla Springs, representing an urban-influenced watershed, and Lake Miccosukee-Natural Bridge Spring, representing a predominantly rural watershed. The objectives were to compare MP concentrations between urban and rural settings, evaluate relationships between MP concentrations and hydrologic conditions, and determine whether changes in lake MP concentrations were reflected in their connected springs.

Water samples were collected from January through May 2024 and analyzed using chemical digestion, vacuum filtration, and stereomicroscopy. MP concentrations were evaluated using statistical comparisons, Spearman rank correlations, and lake-spring lag analyses. MPs were detected at all four study sites. Mean concentrations were highest at Lake Miccosukee (25.00 particles/L), followed by Lake Munson (22.16 particles/L), Natural Bridge Spring (17.29 particles/L), and Wakulla Springs (16.56 particles/L). Although lake concentrations were generally higher than spring concentrations, the urban lake did not exhibit significantly higher concentrations than the rural lake. Precipitation was not significantly correlated with MP concentrations at either lake, whereas lake stage was significantly associated with MP concentrations at Lake Miccosukee. Significant contemporaneous correlations were observed between lake and spring MP concentrations in both systems, but no significant delayed relationships were detected across one to four sampling intervals.

These findings indicate that MP occurrence in karst-connected surface water and groundwater systems cannot be explained by watershed urbanization or precipitation alone. Hydrologic variability, particle storage and remobilization, and subsurface transport processes may collectively influence MP concentrations and their temporal patterns.

Best,
Adea


Adea Arrison

Sr. Academic Program Specialist

Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science

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