Mentor: Alessandra D’Angelo (University of Rhode Island)
Co-Mentor(s): Brice Loose (University of Rhode Island)

Project Location

University of Rhode Island – Bay Campus

Project Description

During the summer of 2019 we collected five ice cores to investigate the occurrence of microplastics (MP) in the sea ice within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA). The samples were processed and filtered onboard the icebreaker Oden, during the Northwest Passage Project. Once back at University of Rhode Island – Graduate School of Oceanography, we classified the particles by shape-type and started the polymer identification through Raman confocal microscopy at the RI Center for Nanosciene & Nanotecnology, at URI. The overarching goal of the project is to provide the census and distribution of the MPs occurring in the Canadian Arctic sea ice. We will conduct crosscutting studies to speculate on the main sources of MPs as well as their sources of manufacture. The student will be involved in the Raman analysis of the remaining ice cores and in the processing of the data, using Wiley’s KnowItAll software and siMPle software coupled with SLOPP and SOPP-E libraries.

This project involves:

• lab work
• computational work

Available for SURF Flex?

Yes

Required/preferred skills

Experience with infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and/or interpretation of other chemical spectra are desirable.

Transportation needs

We will be working between the URI Main Campus and Bay Campus, hence the student could either drive or take the bus to these locations.

2022