Purpose urban stormwater runoff contains transportable debris, defined as total suspended solids (TSS) that includes microplastics (MP) of varying size, shape, and origin and other associated…

Purpose urban stormwater runoff contains transportable debris, defined as total suspended solids (TSS) that includes microplastics (MP) of varying size, shape, and origin and other associated pollutants including toxic metals and forever chemicals (PFAS). Hence, urban stormwater runoff is a major debris source to coastal waters, harming marine life and ecosystems. People are extensively exposed to MPS, attesting to the importance of MPS in creating health risks for both humans and environments. Urban green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) practices (e.g., rain gardens, constructed wetlands, etc.) are nature-based solutions that can capture and remove debris and pollutants while providing multiple flood control, water quality, and socioecological benefits for urban communities. However, the effects of stormwater infrastructure, including conventional gray infrastructure and innovative GSI solutions for MP removal are largely unknown due to two major problems: lack of standard and simple MP characterization techniques, and lack of knowledge of infrastructure performance in coastal areas. The overall goals of this project is to 1) use the latest advancements in analytical chemistry, microscopy, imaging, and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide rapid and practical methods for MP characterization in urban stormwater, 2) assess the performance of gsis, conventional storm sewers, and flood control canals on the generation and mitigation of TSS and MPS, and 3) leverage findings to develop a decision support tool for improving the design and operation of gsis and gray infrastructure for TSS and MP removal. Activities to be performed major activities over this 3-year project (2 years of sampling and monitoring) include: 1. Extensive field sampling, monitoring, and comprehensive analysis of stormwater and sediment samples from storm sewers (manholes and catch basins), flood control canals and GSI sites to assess performance for MP and TSS removal. 2. Controlled laboratory experiments for MP removal methodologies. 3. Development of a rapid, AI-powered tool for the characterization of MPS. 4. Development of a decision support tool for optimizing design and operation of stormwater infrastructure for TSS and MP removal. 5. Creation of an extension program to disseminate knowledge of MPS and GSI implementation. Expected outcomes measurable, scalable, and actionable outcomes include: 1) marine debris (TSS and MP) prevention and removal through gray and green stormwater infrastructure, 2) increased community resilience to climate hazards (floods, urban heat, and sea level rise) in urban coastal areas through use of multi-functional gsis, 3) promotion of social equity and environmental justice by implementation of gsis in underserved communities, 4) increased knowledge of managers, policy makers, and the public about the effects of gsis in reducing land-based pollution to coastal waters, 5) increased incorporation of gsis in remediation and resilience plans, 6) improved environmental protection through effective partnerships with stakeholder groups. Intended beneficiaries coastal management organizations at federal (e.g., NOAA, EPA), state (e.g., florida department of environmental protection), regional (e.g., south florida water management district) and local (e.g., counties and cities) scales, practitioners and industrial stakeholders responsible for the implementation and operation of stormwater infrastructure, and communities in urban coastal areas. Subrecipient activities florida sea grant will create an extension and outreach program to disseminate knowledge of MPS and GSI implementation. This program will target the public, other sea grant programs, municipal governments, and city planners across USA coastal areas. Two industrial partners (tetra tech and treesources) will provide technical expertise and facilitate connection with others working on MP problems to disseminate our findings and to transfer developed technologies.