Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Gregg, 2023, Thesis.pdf (8.29 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on Dragonfly Nymphs

Gregg, Anna
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ma1682984336447419

Abstract Details

2023, Undergraduate Honors Program, Malone University, Honors Thesis.
Plastic waste is entering our waterways at an unprecedented rate. This plastic comes from poor waste disposal and storm sewage drain off. Once in our waterways, the plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, which puts organisms at risk to microplastic (MP) exposure. Overtime, MP can accumulate within the organism. Previous studies have analyzed how growth, survivability, and reproductive fitness are impacted by microplastics, however few studies have considered how MP impact respiration of aquatic organisms. I studied the effects of chronic polyethylene microplastic (PE) exposure on dragonfly nymph respiration. Dragonfly nymph’s are ideal for this study because the pumping of their abdomen during respiration provides an avenue for MP to accumulate within the organism’s abdomen and accrue on the internal gills. Twenty-four individuals were evenly split between two experimental groups: control group (no PE exposure) and a microplastic exposure group. I then measured their ventilation and oxygen consumption rates on day 7 and day 14. Ventilation rates were measured by video recording the animal and counting the number of abdominal pumps within three minutes. Average oxygen consumption was measured with a fiber optic oxygen sensor. Additionally, I measured MP accumulation within the abdominal cavity by dissecting the abdomen and measuring the average proportional area taken up by the spheres. Neither exposure time nor MP exposure had a statistically significant effect on dragonfly nymph ventilation and oxygen consumption rates. However, MP accumulation was observed within the dragonfly nymphs, which could lead to biomagnification of PEs throughout freshwater ecosystems.
Steven Lane, Dr. (Advisor)
Jeff Goff, Dr. (Committee Member)
Rebecca Eagle-Malone, Dr. (Committee Member)
16 p.
Aquatic Sciences
Microplastics; dragonfly nymph; respiration

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gregg, A. (2023). The Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on Dragonfly Nymphs [Undergraduate thesis, Malone University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ma1682984336447419

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gregg, Anna. The Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on Dragonfly Nymphs. 2023. Malone University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ma1682984336447419.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gregg, Anna. "The Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on Dragonfly Nymphs." Undergraduate thesis, Malone University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ma1682984336447419

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ma1682984336447419
100
© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Malone University Undergraduate Honors Program and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12