Microfleece Under a Microscope

[Photo credit: iStock]

Pelagic Plastic Pollution: It All Comes Out in the Wash

We tend to think that plastics enter the ecosystem by mismanagement of waste products. Watershed Stewards have picked up enough plastic bottles, wrappers and other debris in our parks and waterways to know that this type of nonpoint source pollution is no small problem. However, when it comes to microplastic infiltration of our water, much of it is released during the functional life of the products that we use and reuse. We benefit from an abundance of plastic products that can be convienient, functional or even lifesaving. Yet the excessive proliferation of plastics in our everyday lives make almost everything we use a source of potential microplastic pollution.

Our clothing is one common source that originates close to home but is seldom considered. Synthetic fabrics or their blends make up around 62% of textiles. Scientists estimate that 35% of microplastic waste worldwide originates from these synthetic materials. Everytime we wash our clothes, they shed fibers. These microplastic fibers break down further, through photo degradation and weathering, becoming microscopic secondary microplastics that have infiltrated everything from the entire ocean water column to raindropets in the clouds.

What are some of the things that individuals can do to limit the release of microplastic fibers during the laundry process?

Buy fewer new clothes. New clothing sheds more microfibers than clothes that have been previously washed and worn.
Wash your clothing less often.
Only wash full loads of laundry. Washing a full load of fabrics reduces friction leading to less shedding of fibers.
If possible, use a front-loading washer. A study by UC Santa Barbara estimated that that front-loading machines expelled 7 times less microfiber mass than top loading, agitator driven machines.
Employ an external machine filter that catches microfibers. France has enacted a law that requires all new washing machines to include an external microfiber filter by 2025
Wash your laundry at colder temperatures.
Air-dry your clothing, machine drying can increase fiber shedding.

Today, January 24th, you can also check out Ohio Sea Grant's Microplastic Removal During Drinking Water Treatment from 12 - 12:30 p.m. This webinar features new research by The Ohio State University’s John Lenhart and his research group. He's investigating how effectively certain water treatment processes are in removing microplastics and whether certain configurations are better than others when it comes to microplastics removal.

Warm regards,

Sara Corrigan

WVP Coordinator

Happenings

We're in the middle of Salt Awareness Week. You can visit Wisconsin Salt Wise to check out their daily virtual lectures.

In our watershed, Salt Watch sampling is underway. Wastershed Program volunteers have entered December's data for 17 sites around the region and are in the process of collecting information for January.

WVP Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series

December

"The Recovery of Fish Populations in the Cuyahoga River Over the Past 50 Years" with Aquatic Biologist Mike Durkalec.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

January

Join Research and Database Manager, Dr. Nathan Byer for "The Adapted Hunt Drift Fence Technique (AHDriFT): passive monitoring opportunities for small and elusive animals".

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

February

Join Natural Resources Coordinator, Jen "JB" Brumfield for "The Secrets of Bird Migration", a deep dive into the astounding world of avian migration and Cleveland Metroparks' role in thousands of birds' survival. From death-defying flights over the ocean to following star patterns in the sky, to tracking birds with weather radar, we'll demystify birds' miraculous migrations and dig in to their local natural history.

Monday, February 12, 2024 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

March

Join Vegetation Research Coordinator, Sarah Eyesenbach for "Conservation Value Trees". Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources Division is interested in preserving tree species that are under threat from a variety of forest pests and pathogens. Come learn more about the American Chestnut, American Elm, Ash, American Beech, and Eastern Hemlock along with our efforts to maintain and protect these species.

Monday, March 4, 2024 from 6 - 7:30pm

WVP Opportunities

Salt Watch Training

Dec 14, 2024 @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Key

(L)earning: These events include talks, workshops, and training sessions.
(M)onitoring: These events include water quality testing through chemistry and macroinvertebrate monitoring.
(R)estoration: These events include bioretention clean-ups, tree plantings, invasive plant removal, etc.
(O)utreach: These events are used to spread awareness of the Watershed Volunteer Program and general watershed health.

(R) Work Session: Invasive Grapevine Removal

Fri, Jan 26, 12 - 2 p.m. @ Center Park, West Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Seed Processing

Wed, Jan 31, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(L) Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series: The Secrets of Bird Migration*

Mon, Feb 12, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(M) Work Session: Winter Stonefly Survey

Sat, Feb 17, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Baldwin Creek

(R) Work Session: Seed Processing

Wed, Feb 21, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Invasive Grapevine Removal

Sun, Feb 25, 2 - 4 p.m.*time change @ Big Creek Parkway Near Stumph Rd, Big Creek Reservation

(L) Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series: Conservation Value Trees*

Mon, Mar 4, 2024, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(M) Workshop: Macroinvertebrates ID 101*

Thu, Mar 14, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(O) World Water Day

Sat, Mar 23, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Garlic Mustard Pulls

Garlic Mustard removal season will run from approximately March 25th through May 24th. Volunteers who are interested in completing independent restoration work during this time can email us to join the list.

WVP volunteers, please log into Volgistics to register for primary events.

*Open to the public. Click Here or Email us for the registration link.

View Event Details

Opportunities With Our Partners

(S) Rocky River Watershed Council 2024 Annual Meeting

Thu, Jan 25, 6 - 8 p.m. @The Rocky River Nature Center

Join RRWC for a lecture about the importance of tree canopy on watershed health, how to plan for changing climate predictions, and what efforts are being made in your area to enhance biodiversity.

More Details and Registration Here

(S)Natural Channel Design Review Checklist

Registration opens Mon, Jan 29, 8AM

Apr 15-19, 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

You can join Cleveland Metroparks for this 5 day workshop offered by StreamMechanics. This workshop provides participants with training on how to use the Natural Channel Design Review Checklist. The checklist was co-developed by Will Harman and Rich Starr.

More Details and Registration Here Cost: $1,750

(S) Winter Salting Public Presentation

Fri, Feb 16, 5 - 6 p.m. @ Mayfield Village Civic Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Road Mayfield Village, OH 44143

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District is holding this event to talk about winter salting practices! You'll hear about the impact salt can have on our watersheds, and ways to use it most effectively to keep you safe and our waterways healthy.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Vernal Poolooza

Thu - Sat, Mar 7 - 9, @ Camp Oty'Okwa, Purcell Rd South Bloomington, OH 43152

A three day vernal pool-focused wetland science conference located in the Hocking Hills region.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Cuyahoga AOC Advisory Committee Symposium

Fri, Mar 15, time:TBA @ Happy Days Lodge in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The Cuyahoga AOC Advisory Committee will host its biannual symposium on Friday, March 15th, followed by an optional restoration event.

Save the Date! Details to come

(S) Rain Barrel Workshop - South Euclid

Wed, Mar 20, 6 - 7 p.m. @ South Euclid Community Centre, 1370 Victory Drive South Euclid, OH 44121

Cuyahoga SWCD will host a rain barrel workshop and pick-up at the South Euclid Community Center on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. You'll learn how to harvest rainwater for all your garden needs and to combat storm water pollution in your community by constructing a rain barrel.

More Details and Registration Here Cost $60

(S) Rain Barrel Workshop - Newburgh Heights

Thu, Mar 21, 6 - 7.30 p.m. @ Village Hall Community Room, 3801 Harvard Ave. Newburgh Heights, OH 44105

This is a barrel and diverter kit pick up only. When you register, you will be sent a confirmation with instructions about how to make your barrel at home. All you need is your own drill. Pre-payment is required.

More Details and Registration Here Cost $60

Cleveland Metroparks | Digital Emerald Necklace*

Read and Watch here

More (S)upplemental events can be found on our website here.

*WVP volunteers can submit supplemental hours in Volgistics under (S) Watershed Partner Event Contact us if you need assistance reporting any hours.

Recording Hours with WVP

Extras

News

Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap Water? | Read on and watch video here

The Lake Erie Shore in Mentor Is Eroding 8-10 Feet Per Year as Officials Seek a Plan to Preserve Land | Read on and watch video here

Ohio's Metzger Preserve Harbors Strange Yet Impressive Rock Formations | Read on

2023 in Review: Investigating the East Palestine Train Derailment | Read on and watch video here

A Tree-Dwelling Shrimp Has Been Discovered in the Cyclops Mountains of Papua, New Guinea | Read on

Pictured here is a shrimp out of water -- literally AND ecologically.

Typically, shrimp are directly associated with an aquatic environment. But a recently discovered kind was found living in the soil and trees of Papua, New Guinea's Cyclops Mountains. How is this possible? The scientists involved with the discovery have some ideas. Check out the article directly above to learn about those ideas as well as many other happenings during their exploration of one of the most biodiverse locations on Earth.

[Photo Credit: James Kempton (Expedition Cyclops 2023)]