Announcing an Exciting New Research Project with Trent University

Microplastics are becoming an increasing concern worldwide, given their impact on the environment,wildlife, and indirectly on our health. They are small bits of plastic (less than 5mm) that are human-produced and in our air, rivers, lakes, and oceans. There are no commercial tests for microplastics because the analysis is manual and time-consuming.

We have always prided ourselves on our water quality at Kosh, but realized it would be smart to undertake a benchmark study to measure the amount and type of microplastics in our lake. The LKRA and Leila Macdonald approached Trent University and were successful in finding a student who is keen to undertake this project this summer as part of her thesis for a 4th year course in environmental studies.

Specifically, the study will tell us where the microplastics are coming from (the atmosphere, lake inflows, human activity, etc.), where they end up (in the sediment or out via the dam), whether the density changes between June and October, whether the composition of invisible pollution is similar to visible pollution collected on the shoreline and how Kasshabog’s microplastic density compares with other lakes.

The student will collect water and sediment samples monthly from June to October. She will analyze the samples and, as mentioned, incorporate the results into her thesis for a 4th year course in environmental studies by April 2026. Expect to read updates during the collection process, with a full summary in the 2026 LKRA Yearbook. Her thesis will ultimately be linked on the LKRA website.

Project status report for June - June 11th was the first sampling visit by the students on the lake. They took 15 water tests by boat and 5 water tests by car (from back bays). Thank you to Gary Kindree, our boat driver.

How can you help? We need a volunteer boat driver for the following dates (all for approx. 2.5 hours in the morning):

• Tuesday, July 8 (rain day July 9)

• Aug 5 or 6

• Sept 2 or 3

• Oct 7 or 8

• Nov 4 or 5

Your boat should be able to accommodate 4 passengers plus 15 jugs of water. Please contact Lelia MacDonald at leliamacdonaldtoronto@gmail.com if you can help. Thanks for your support of this exciting new benchmark study!