Students at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School in Brandon have been awarded over one million dollars worth of ‘beamtime’ to conduct groundbreaking research at the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron, located at the University of Saskatchewan. According to a media release, Crocus Plains is just the second public school in Manitoba to receive this unique and prestigious opportunity.
Image – Submitted
The research will focus on measuring microplastic levels in the Assiniboine River and their impact on local plant life. To investigate this, the students will grow cilantro, an important crop cultivated in Manitoba, using water from three different sources: distilled water, tap water from their school, and
water from the Assiniboine River. The plants will be grown in a hydroponic system to ensure a controlled environment, eliminating any interference from soil and fertilizer.
Using advanced synchrotron testing at the Canadian Light Source, the students will analyze the plants’ roots, stems, leaves, and water samples to measure any potential fluctuations in heavy metal uptake, which may be caused by microplastics in the river water. In a further milestone, the students will also become the first group to use the facility’s electron microscope, enabling them to identify traces of microplastics and heavy metals within the plants.
“This research holds immense significance,” said the team’s lead teacher, Shivam Patel. “Microplastics are an ever-growing concern worldwide, and this study could have far-reaching implications for public health, particularly in how exposure to these contaminants may affect children and vulnerable populations.”
If their hypothesis proves correct, the heavy metals found in the plants could present serious health risks, including potential impacts on brain development, reproductive health, and other health conditions across all age groups. The research may also spark changes in agricultural practices—
particularly water usage and irrigation techniques—leading to improved food safety standards and better protection of public health.
