Kansas Study Reveals Widespread Microplastic Pollution
Groundbreaking research finds microplastics in every freshwater body tested across the Great Plains
When we imagine plastic pollution, most of us picture floating garbage patches in distant oceans or sea turtles entangled in plastic bags. But what if this environmental crisis is much closer to home—lurking in your local pond, river, or even drinking water reservoir? A groundbreaking study from the heartland of America reveals an alarming truth: microplastic contamination has infiltrated even the seemingly pristine waters of the Great Plains. Research conducted across Kansas discovered these tiny plastic particles in every single water body tested—from quiet rural ponds to flowing streams 1 7 .
This discovery is particularly surprising because the Great Plains region is often associated with open skies and natural landscapes, not the industrial centers and crowded coastlines typically linked with plastic pollution.
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics across such diverse freshwater environments signals that plastic pollution is no longer just a marine problem—it's a universal one that has reached our backyards 2 .
Before diving into the Kansas findings, it's important to understand what we're dealing with. Microplastics are defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters—roughly the size of a sesame seed or smaller . They come from various sources:
Intentionally manufactured small particles, like the microbeads formerly found in exfoliating personal care products
Fragments that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items like bags, bottles, and fishing gear
Tiny threads that shed from synthetic clothing and textiles during washing
These particles are particularly problematic because their small size makes them easily transportable through water systems and readily ingestible by aquatic organisms . Once in the food chain, they can potentially work their way up to humans, though the health implications are still being studied.
The research team collected samples from twenty-three different locations across Kansas in Fall 2018, representing a diverse range of freshwater environments including small streams, rivers, ponds, and reservoirs 1 . This broad geographical approach allowed them to assess whether microplastics were limited to specific types of water bodies or represented a widespread issue.
At each location, researchers gathered both surface water and benthic sediment samples. Benthic sediment refers to the material at the bottom of a water body—where many pollutants tend to accumulate over time. Comparing these two types of samples would help determine whether microplastics were evenly distributed throughout the water column or concentrating in specific areas.
Map visualization of 23 Kansas sampling locations
Samples were first filtered through a 125 µm mesh sieve to concentrate the particles 1
The filtered material was placed in polypropylene vials and processed in 15mL of 1N potassium hydroxide (KOH) for 14 days—a treatment that breaks down organic matter without significantly damaging plastic particles 1
Processed samples were then examined for microplastics, which were counted and categorized
The researchers deliberately chose this method after reviewing various techniques, selecting the one that destroyed the least amount of microplastics per sample while exhibiting a high recovery rate 1 . This attention to methodological detail was crucial for obtaining accurate results that could be reliably compared with other studies.
The results were both conclusive and alarming: microplastics were detected in every single sample collected across all 23 locations 1 . This universal contamination highlights that no freshwater system in the studied region—no matter how remote or pristine it might appear—has escaped plastic pollution.
Perhaps the most striking finding was the dramatic difference between sediment and water contamination levels. The study found that sediment samples contained orders of magnitude greater microplastic densities than water column samples 1 . This pattern has significant implications for how microplastics move through aquatic ecosystems and which organisms are most exposed.
Visualization: 100% detection rate across all samples
| Sample Type | Average Microplastic Density | Sample Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Water | 0.37 pieces | 5 liters |
| Benthic Sediment | 128.7 pieces | 236 cm³ |
"Before we started this project, I didn't know what microplastics were (beyond cosmetic microbeads). I was surprised at this gap in knowledge, especially given the huge surge in environmental awareness we've seen lately."
The Kansas study contributes to a growing body of evidence that microplastic contamination is a global issue affecting all aquatic environments, not just the oceans that initially captured scientific and public attention. As Ted Harris, an associate research professor at the University of Kansas, noted: "We found microplastics in every lake we sampled" in a related global study 2 . He observed that even seemingly pristine lakes can be heavily impacted, with the simple act of swimming in clothing containing synthetic fibers contributing to the problem.
Why do sediments accumulate so many more microplastics than the water column? The answer lies in basic physics and material science. While some plastics are less dense than water and float, many common plastics—including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used in plastic bottles and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in pipes—are denser than water and naturally sink to the bottom 9 . Additionally, even buoyant plastics can become weighed down by biofilm formation—the accumulation of microorganisms, algae, and other natural materials that cause them to eventually sink 9 .
Density comparison of common plastics
The human dimension of microplastic pollution was highlighted in the Kansas study. Harris observed that "the more humans, the more plastics," noting that Clinton Lake had relatively low microplastics because there weren't many people around it, compared to places like Lake Tahoe where people live all around the shore 2 . Our daily activities—from washing synthetic clothing to using personal care products—directly contribute to this contamination.
The Kansas study represents just the beginning of understanding microplastic pollution in the Great Plains. As Dr. Martin noted, "We have a sample size of [about] 20, which isn't enough to look at potential landscape-scale influences" 7 . She awaits news of a grant to continue the project in collaboration with several other universities, hoping to expand the research scope and depth.
Meanwhile, other researchers are exploring how to prevent microplastics from entering water systems in the first place. Belinda Sturm at the University of Kansas is leading research on how wastewater treatment plants might be adapted to capture more microplastics before they're released into the environment . Most facilities aren't specifically designed to remove these tiny particles, so they often pass through treatment systems into rivers and lakes or end up in biosolids that may be applied to agricultural land.
On an individual level, we can all reduce our contribution to microplastic pollution by choosing natural-fiber clothing instead of synthetics when possible and supporting policies that address plastic waste . However, Sturm acknowledges that consumer choice has limits: "It's really hard for a consumer to know which products have these and which don't because labeling isn't required" .
"When I saw my name on that fully written and polished paper, ready to get published, I was really proud to have been a part of it. It was a great learning experience for me and I really enjoyed it."
The Kansas microplastics study transformed both our understanding of freshwater pollution and the student researchers who conducted it. The research demonstrates that scientific discovery isn't limited to established experts—curious students can make meaningful contributions to understanding our world. More importantly, it reveals that environmental challenges often remain invisible until we know how to look for them.
Microplastic contamination in the Great Plains serves as a powerful reminder that there is no 'away' when we throw plastic waste "away." These persistent particles accumulate in our rivers, lakes, and sediments—reminders of our plastic-dependent society that will remain in the environment for centuries. As we move forward, acknowledging the full scope of this contamination represents the essential first step toward developing comprehensive solutions that protect both our aquatic ecosystems and our health.
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