Students to research microplastics’ impact on Assiniboine

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This article was published 14/01/2025 (241 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of seven Grade 12 students from Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School (CPRSS) has been awarded beamtime at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) Synchrotron at the University of Saskatchewan.

The team — comprising Pujan Acharya, Khatib Apena, Seth McAuley, Shivam Patel, Vandankumar Patel, Ellen Van Heyst and Mintesnot Yilma — dedicated more than 18 months to preparing for the milestone.

The “groundbreaking opportunity” will enable the students to conduct advanced research into microplastics and heavy metals in the Assiniboine River, a project that could have significant implications for public health and agriculture in Manitoba, the group’s supervisor, Christopher Sarkonak, told the Sun in an email.

“This research holds immense significance,” said Shivam Patel, the team’s lead teacher. “Microplastics are an ever-growing concern worldwide, and this study could have far-reaching implications for public health, particularly in how exposure to these contaminants may affect children and vulnerable populations.”

They are guided by Sarkonak, and supported by experts, including Adam Gillespie from the University of Guelph, as well as Anna-Maria Boechler and Mercedes Buye, from the CLS.

The students’ beamtime, initially scheduled for March, has been postponed until May due to upgrades to the synchrotron’s linear accelerator, but the team is using the delay to refine and expand their research, the supervisor said.

The students’ project, he explained, centres on assessing the impact of microplastics on local plant life and public health, adding that by growing cilantro in hydroponic systems using distilled water, school tap water, and water from the Assiniboine River, they aim to measure heavy metal uptake caused by microplastic contamination.

“The cilantro, chosen for its compatibility with synchrotron analysis, serves as a proxy for crops grown in Manitoba using irrigation water,” he added.

“The students’ use of the synchrotron’s advanced technologies, including the electron microscope — which they will be the first student group to access — will allow them to identify traces of microplastics and heavy metals at an unprecedented level of detail,” Sarkonak said. “Their findings could influence agricultural practices, particularly irrigation methods, and contribute to improved food safety standards.”

According to Sarkonak, the project began with the students’ curiosity about whether microplastics in the Assiniboine River might affect local food supplies. Limitations of the synchrotron prompted the team to select cilantro for its suitability in detecting specific contaminants, leading to a research journey that has combined scientific rigour with creativity.

“This project was born out of students’ interests, and they have been passionate about this work throughout,” said Sarkonak. “Their enthusiasm and commitment have been inspiring.”

Participation in the Beamline Program, he added, offers the students invaluable experience in cutting-edge science.

Beyond gaining hands-on expertise with synchrotron technology, the supervisor said, the students will have the opportunity to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed journal — a rare accomplishment for high school students.

“These experiences prepare students for technologies of the future,” Sarkonak explained. “They’re developing leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills in a real-world context, giving them a significant advantage when applying for competitive university programs.”

Crocus Plains plans to present the findings of the research project at Brandon School Division meetings and share the results with local and national media, he said.

“Once published, the research could attract attention from other scientists, potentially influencing future studies and environmental policies,” he said.

“Experiments like this can lead to better approaches that are more mindful of the environment and improve public health.”

Crocus Plains is only the second public school in Manitoba to receive this prestigious opportunity through the Beamline Program, which has supported student-led research since 2006, the school press release issued Monday stated.

By addressing critical environmental and health issues, the release added that the CPRSS team is setting a benchmark for innovation and academic achievement.

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