Panel Discussion: Tackling Microplastics Across the Country

Date: Presented at StormCon 2024 in Reno, Nevada on August 28, 2024
Speakers: Monica Arienzo, Katie Senft & Sarah Wilkerson
Credits: 1.0 PDH / Approved for all Envirocert International, Inc. (ECI) Certifications: Approval #PDH-0042

Microplastics have been observed around the globe, and in this panel, three industry professionals will share how they are mitigating this contaminant in their communities. From a local perspective, attendees will learn about work being done around Lake Tahoe, where microplastics have been observed. This has raised concerns from the scientific and management communities in the Tahoe Basin on how to address microplastic pollution in Lake Tahoe. From groups turning scientific information into management priorities to research studies highlighting pervasiveness of plastic pollution in Lake Tahoe, this panel will share ideas on observing and mitigating microplastics in bodies of water. From there, the panel will travel to the Midwest and hear how the city of Springfield, Missouri, is handling the evolution of microplastics, especially as they relate to stormwater. From collecting stormwater samples to evaluating the efficacy of SCMs, the city is implementing various avenues of research to tackle microplastics. Join the panelists to learn how you can manage and mitigate microplastics in your community.

Session duration: 60 minutes

About the Presenters

Monica Arienzo is a Stormwater Program Manager at Desert Research Institute. In her research, Arienzo uses chemical tools to understand how humans impact the environment. After years of studying caves in the Bahamas and ice cores from Antarctica, now she studies microplastics found in snowy peaks, downstream lakes and rivers, and to drinking water taps around the world.

Katie Senft is an Associate Research Professor in the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center. During the past 14 years, Senft has worked on various projects from monitoring water quality and nearshore algae growth to researching a new and novel approach to restore the lake’s clarity by removing the invasive mysis shrimp. The ability to observe the lake on an intimate level has inspired Senft’s most recent work focusing on microplastics in Lake Tahoe.

Sarah Wilkerson has worked with the City of Springfield, Missouri for 13 years. In her current role as Senior Stormwater Specialist, she oversees several programmatic aspects of the city’s MS4 program, including municipal good housekeeping, industrial and high-risk runoff, and post-construction. She holds degrees in Biology and Environmental Science.