New research by a UT undergraduate revealed potential effects of microplastic content in Lady Bird Lake.

Geology senior Danielle Zaleski was honored for her research on foreign particles in Lady Bird Lake as part of the Jackson School of Geosciences annual research symposium on Feb. 14. Zaleski’s research focused on the buildup of road and microplastic particles in the lake from the Longhorn Dam since its construction in 1960. Her research began in September 2023, when the city of Austin collaborated with the Jackson School to analyze the contents of the lake.  

After Interstate 35 opened in Central Texas in 1962, environmental groups have expressed concerns about its unknown effects on the environment, especially regarding areas near Lady Bird Lake.

“I was always really interested in the more environmental side of geology and sustainability,” Zaleski said.

Zaleski worked with four undergraduates and a doctoral candidate on the research project, “Temporal Microplastics Analysis of Lady Bird Lake, Austin Sediments: A Reflection of Austin’s Urban Growth,” which analyzed three meters of sediment from Lady Bird Lake and revealed unnatural particles since the construction of the Longhorn Dam, such as plastic and road particles as they relate to Austin’s development. 

Zaleski said the goal is for the researchers to present their findings to the city of Austin. She said she wants the city to understand what is left behind by its construction projects. 

“We learned that the amount of microplastics is fairly high,” Zaleski said. “Road microplastics … were the highest by far.”

Zaleski competed against over 100 other students of all levels, from high schoolers to doctoral candidates.

As the undergraduate winner, Zaleski won $750. Isabelle Lambert, the co-symposium chair who planned the event, said each participant was judged on scientific approach, presentation design and oral presentation.  

“Everything went really well … our focus was to celebrate research and to celebrate (the) community within the Jackson School,” Lambert said.

Zaleski left before the winners were announced, so she found out about her award via text. 

“It was exciting and not very expected,” Zaleski said. “I was on a field trip when I got the text from my supervisor being like, ‘you won.’” 

Zaleski said her research showed how road construction is affecting the city’s waterways. She

said she wants to focus on sediment in Lake Austin and Lake Travis, where she said a large portion of Austin’s drinking water comes from. 

“I know it’s too late, but it does kind of show a greater impact on what the I-35 expansion project is causing,” Zaleski said. “(The research) exposed that we need more protection on what we’re putting into our waterways.”