Vermont’s waterways face invisible threats that two University of Vermont researchers are working to understand and solve. From tiny plastic fragments on Lake Champlain’s beaches to dangerous chemicals lurking in groundwater, these pollutants pose risks to both environment and human health. Anne Jefferson, Lake Champlain Sea Grant Director, spends her days sifting through sand samples from beaches around the lake. Her team is conducting the first comprehensive, long-term study of microplastics in Lake Champlain. These tiny plastic pieces—smaller than a pencil eraser—have been found on every beach they’ve tested. “We have this gap in knowledge about the extent of the … Continue reading UVM Researchers Find Microplastics on Every Lake Champlain Beach While Developing Solutions for PFAS Chemicals