Project Grant 2409165

This $299,999 federal Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's Geosciences Program (CFDA 47.050) supports collaborative research to understand the trapping of microplastic particles in riverbeds. The project, awarded to Iowa State University of Science and Technology, will leverage high-fidelity numerical simulations and theoretical modeling to reveal the physical processes involved in the trapping of microplastic particles in riverbeds. The research aims to build predictive models for microplastic retention rates that account for turbulence, particle inertia, and biofouling effects. This work will enable more accurate assessment of microplastic pollution impact on ecosystems and inform potential remediation strategies. The project will also support diversity in engineering and promote teaching, training, and learning through the involvement of undergraduate researchers from Iowa State University and Arizona State University.