Raman Spectroscopic Detection of Microplastics in Fish Gills around Oʻahu

Overview

Microplastics, degraded from plastic products, have become a pervasive pollutant that severely impacts marine ecosystems and public health. This issue is especially critical in Hawaii, where the ocean is an integral part in the environment and culture of t he local community. This study examines the accumulation of microplastics in fish gills, a key pathway for pollution to infiltrate marine ecological networks, posing a direct threat to human and environmental health. Fish samples from various species aroun d Oʻahu were collected and analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, a technique that accurately identifies and quantifies microplastics based on their unique vibrational signatures. The results showed that polypropylene and polyethylene were the most prevalent plastics found in fish, highlighting the widespread contamination in local waters. Fish from the northern and eastern regions influenced by the North Pacific Gyre and trade winds had significantly higher microplastic concentrations (p<0.05). Additionally, b ottom-dwelling species exhibited elevated microplastic levels due to their feeding behaviors and proximity to the ocean floor (p<0.05). These findings emphasize the alarming scale of the microplastic problem which extends beyond environmental pollution to pose a serious public health risk, especially for communities in Hawaii who rely on fish as a dietary staple. Identifying these patterns of microplastic infiltration in our environments shows the urgent need for policy changes, improved waste management, and more solutions to reduce pollution. This study provides crucial data to inform conservation efforts and guide local and global actions to protect marine biodiversity and safeguard public health. Aiptasia for Heavy Metal Decontamination Leilani Phan Kalani High School, Honolulu, HI Heavy metal contamination significantly threatens coastal ecosystems, including Oahu's southern shores, due to urban runoff and industrial pollutants. This study investigates the potential of Aiptasia anemones for mitigating lead contamination in seawater through their metal -binding metallothioneins (MTs). Seawater samples from Magic Island, known for lead levels exceeding EPA safety limits, were analyzed to assess the capacity of Aiptasia to sequester lead. Over 14 days, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spe ctrometry revealed a marked reduction in lead concentrations in tanks containing Aiptasia, compared to rising lead levels in tanks without the anemones. The results suggest that Aiptasia reduces lead concentrations via MTs and reactive oxygen species (ROS) mitigation, making them effective bioaccumulators. Beyond their ability to detoxify heavy metals, Aiptasia demonstrated resilience to environmental stressors, further supporting their feasibility as a bioremediation agent in polluted urban marine environm ents. Unlike chemical methods, which often introduce additional ecological risks, this natural solution offers a sustainable and cost -effective approach to improving water quality. Furthermore, the study highlights the urgent need for innovative remediatio n strategies, particularly in regions heavily impacted by industrial and urban runoff. The findings of this research indicate that Aiptasia could serve as a valuable tool in reducing the ecological and public health risks associated with heavy metal contamination. Future studies should examine their performance across a range of environmental conditions and contamination levels to validate their broader applicability in restoring marine ecosystems affected by metal pollution.

Competition history

• JSHS 2025 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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