Nurdle Patrol: Monitoring Microplastic Pollution in our Local Waterways
Come on the Nurdle Patrol to help local and international efforts to monitor and reduce plastic pollution in and near our waterways.
Project description
Nurdles are key inputs into plastics manufacturing, but also an important source of pollution in waterways. In this mentored project, you will make standardized field observations of nurdles near local waterways and help transform those observations into shareable insights and visuals that communicate the breadth of this pollution across space and changes over time. All observations will contribute to local waterway clean up efforts lead by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and an international citizen science database monitoring plastic pellet pollution.
Contributing to an environmental sustainability-themed, place-based dataset, you can help local and international efforts to monitor and reduce plastic pollution. You will develop skills in observation protocols, data visualization, and science communication. This is a great way to get a taste of fieldwork and learn about the importance (and fun!) of citizen science.
Project outcome
Compile your own field observations into concise presentation (poster/slide deck/StoryMap) on local plastic pellet pollution as the required final product for the badge.
Learning outcomes
After training, conduct in‑person field observations following the protocols learned in the in-person trainings; log count data so observations are captured in the international database with the community partner tagged.
There may be opportunities to contribute further to the efforts of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper using GIS and writing skills. These can be discussed with the project mentor and community partner after successful completion of field observations.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Less than a semester; 0-2 months |
| Start time | Summer |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-Person |
| Level of collaboration | Individual or small group project (2-3 students) |
| Benefits | Research experience |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduate students |
Core partners
- Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Project mentor
Abigail Cooke
Associate Professor
Geography
Phone: (716) 645-0486
Email: amcooke@buffalo.edu
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. After you’re approved to begin the project, your mentor will send the relevant materials. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
- Reading articles or books
- Attending workshops and trainings (In May 2026)
Keywords
geography, environmental science, ecology, sustainability