The first round of sampling revealed that the Lakes are home to between 1,500 and 1.7 million plastic particles per square mile, with Lake Erie housing the largest concentrations. Dr. Sherri “Sam” Mason of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia, Dr. Lorena Rios-Mendoza of University of Wisconsin, and Dr. Marcus Erikson of 5 Gyres Institute have determined that much of the plastic they found was actually microbeads, found in many brands of toothpaste and facial and body scrubs. These tiny pieces of plastic are less than a millimeter in diameter, much too small to be filtered out by wastewater treatment facilities before that water is released into nearby lakes and rivers.
Recent News
- IISG has an opportunity for an experienced communication coordinator
- Middle schoolers join a Chicago research lab in the quest for new antibiotics
- You can take steps to reduce your exposure to PFAS contaminants
- IISG summer initiatives include interns, water safety, and aquatic invasive species
- Illinois Extension and Sea Grant K-12 education specialist joins the team
IISG Instagram
Last weekend, IISG’s Amy Shambach facilitated activities and shared information at the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative booth as a part of the Mi Fresh Fish Sail on Lake Superior! Participants had the opportunity to go aboard the Inland Seas tall ship schooner, eat local fried fish, and participate in cooking lessons all while learning about the health benefits of local fish.
![Last weekend, IISG’s Amy Shambach facilitated activities and shared information at the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative booth as a part of the Mi Fresh Fish Sail on Lake Superior! Participants had the opportunity to go aboard the Inland Seas tall ship schooner, eat local fried fish, and participate in cooking lessons all while learning about the health benefits of local fish.](https://iiseagrant.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Last weekend, IISG’s Amy Shambach facilitated activities and shared information at the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative booth as a part of the Mi Fresh Fish Sail on Lake Superior! Participants had the opportunity to go aboard the Inland Seas tall ship schooner, eat local fried fish, and participate in cooking lessons all while learning about the health benefits of local fish.