Initially, Trent University planned to study Kasshabog Lake using a methodology similar to previous lake research, with a focus on surface water and deep-water sediment. However, we are the first lake to provide TrentU with an actual Shoreline Cleanup. We are the first lake to ask TrentU to track sources using the Shoreline Cleanup. When early results showed little floating polystyrene foam (which accounts for half our shoreline pollution), the sampling plan was revised to include more near-shore sediment and beach sites. This was important because plastics can have different fates in the environment. Fibres may remain suspended in surface water, while polystyrene foam particles from docks sink quickly and are therefore most effectively captured by near-shore sediment and beach samples rather than by surface water alone.
The revised methodology is not an entirely new approach, as shoreline, beach, and near-source sampling have been used in many studies. Instead, the strength of this study lies in adapting methods to reflect patterns and local observations of Kasshabog Lake. The initial method would have captured only part of the microplastic story, whereas the revised approach captures much more by examining additional environmental media. This demonstrates the value of local knowledge and Shoreline Clean up data in informing study design for measuring microplastics in lakes.