Microplastics and Water Discharge in the Boise River and Indian Creek
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Rachel Headley, College of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-15-2026
Abstract
Microplastics has become an ever-present pollutant, resulting from sources ranging from disposed consumer products to industrial waste dumped into our river systems. This pollutant persists in damaging the aquatic ecosystems, likely bringing harm to aquatic organisms and disturbing the natural food web. With three years of research, we have been able to compile ample amounts of qualitative and quantitative data pertaining to dam release, the seasons, as well as a multitude of statistical factors: dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, temperature, turbidity, and depth. Multiple places have been recorded, primarily focusing on the Boise River and Indian Creek in southwest Idaho. For the Boise River, we have recorded microplastic concentrations from 85 up to 652 microplastics per liter. As for the Indian Creek, concentrations ranged from 32 microplastics per liter to 492 microplastics per liter. We hypothesize that the concentration of microplastics relates to discharge amounts and change in discharge over time, as microplastic concentrations generally peak sometime after increased flows in the spring due to dam control.
Microplastics and Water Discharge in the Boise River and Indian Creek
Microplastics has become an ever-present pollutant, resulting from sources ranging from disposed consumer products to industrial waste dumped into our river systems. This pollutant persists in damaging the aquatic ecosystems, likely bringing harm to aquatic organisms and disturbing the natural food web. With three years of research, we have been able to compile ample amounts of qualitative and quantitative data pertaining to dam release, the seasons, as well as a multitude of statistical factors: dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, temperature, turbidity, and depth. Multiple places have been recorded, primarily focusing on the Boise River and Indian Creek in southwest Idaho. For the Boise River, we have recorded microplastic concentrations from 85 up to 652 microplastics per liter. As for the Indian Creek, concentrations ranged from 32 microplastics per liter to 492 microplastics per liter. We hypothesize that the concentration of microplastics relates to discharge amounts and change in discharge over time, as microplastic concentrations generally peak sometime after increased flows in the spring due to dam control.