Research
Innovative research driving real-world impact.
The purpose of our lab
Is to investigate plastic pollution through quantifying and identifying characteristics of microplastics in a variety of sample types such as water, sediment, and organismal samples (digestive tracts).
Current Research
Instrumentation
Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
The FTIR allows us to identify microparticles based on the IR light reflected back to the sensors.
Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)
The ATR allows us to identify larger particles based on the IR light reflected back to the sensors.
Solar Simulator
This instrument allows us to degrade plastics via light and heat similar to that of the sun.
Funded by the Landfall Foundation
Independent Lab For Hire
We provide:
• Sample Processing
• Particle Enumeration
• Plastic Composition Analysis using u-FTIR
• Final Comprehensive Reports
• Expertise
We offer our services to:
• Individuals
• Businesses and Corporations
• Universities
• Non-profits
Research Estimates/Inquiries:
* Indicates required field
Internships
Our research lab also offers a 40-120 hour internship program to high school and college level students year-round. This provides applied learning opportunities in field and laboratory settings. Students are trained and supervised by the laboratory director in ongoing research projects and will potentially work with members from a myriad of disciplines including Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, etc.
Students will learn laboratory safety, sample processing of different types of samples looking for microplastics, particle analysis using a u-FTIR, and data organizing. Occasionally, the opportunity for field sampling arises and students will learn field contamination mitigation techniques, proper sampling techniques for different types of samples, and data recording.
It is a true confidence builder.
Publications
Kurki-Fox, J.; Doll, B.; Monteleone, B.; West, K. N.; Putnam, G.; Kelleher, L.; Krause, S.; Schneidewind, U. Microplastic Distribution and Characteristics Across a Large River Basin: Insights from the Neuse River in North Carolina, USA. Science of the Total Enivronment. 2023, 787, 162940.
Steinbarger, C.D., Joseph, J., Athey, S.N., Monteleone, B., Andrady, A.L., Watanabe, W.O., Seaton, P., Taylor, A.R., Brander, S.M. 2021. Direct ingestion & trophic transfer of microplastics in early life stages of Centropristis striata, a commercially and recreationally-valuable fishery species. Environmental Pollution 285, 117653.
Athey, S.N., Albotra, S., Gordon, C., Echevarria, Andrady, A., M., Monteleone, B., Seaton, S., Taylor, A., Brander, S. 2020. The trophic transfer of microplastics from microzooplankton to larval fish. Limnology and Oceanography Letters 5(1), 154-162.
Zettler, E. R.; Takada, H.; Monteleone, B.; Mallos, N.; Eriksen, M.; Amaral-Zettler, L. A. Incorporating Citizen Science to Study Plastics in the Environment. Anal. Methods 2017, 9 (9), 1392–1403.
The Ocean Cleanup. How the Oceans Can Clean Themselves: A Feasibility Study. 2014.