A student-led citizen science initiative collecting verified microplastic data from local waterways — building toward a national environmental dataset.
of water samples in the East River and Long Island Sound contained anthropogenic microplastic particles
Conley et al., ScienceDirectof New York State wastewater treatment plants had microplastics in discharge flowing into local waterways
NY State Attorney Generalof microplastic particles found in U.S. rivers are fibers — the most common and hardest to filter type
USGS Water Sciencecentralized, student-collected microplastic datasets exist for Long Island — Verdex is building the first
Verdex ResearchVerdex equips students with standardized sampling protocols to collect scientifically rigorous microplastic data from local waterways. Every sample is GPS-verified, admin-reviewed, and published to an open dataset.
Existing microplastic research for the Northeast is sparse, confined to isolated academic studies, and inaccessible to educators, community members, and local policymakers. Verdex fills that gap.
Every Verdex sample follows a three-step process designed for scientific credibility and contributor accessibility.
Contributors gather a 1-liter water sample from a local waterway using a clean glass jar. GPS coordinates, weather conditions, and site photos are documented at the time of collection.
The sample is filtered through fine mesh. The dried filter is examined — ideally under 40x magnification — to count and categorize microplastic particles by type: fibers, fragments, or beads.
Data is submitted through the Verdex portal with supporting documentation. An admin reviews every submission for protocol compliance before it appears on the public map and dataset.
Every approved data point appears on the map below. Click a marker to see location details, microplastic count, and contributing school.
Completed a collection? Log your findings below. All submissions go through admin review before appearing in the public dataset.
Submissions are reviewed within 7 days for protocol adherence. Approved samples are added to the public dataset and map.
Every sample contributes to a dataset that didn't exist before.
NOAA-aligned protocols ensure microplastic counts meet standards for peer-reviewed research and government reporting.
A growing contributor network captures local variation in pollution — data no single institution could collect alone.
All verified data is freely accessible to researchers, professors, environmental organizations, and local policymakers.
Verdex is actively seeking founding partners — schools, civic associations, environmental nonprofits, and government agencies. Partnering organizations receive contributor access, data dashboards, and co-branded reporting.
Become a PartnerStudent researcher at Wellington C. Mepham High School in North Bellmore, NY. Started Verdex through the Advanced Science Research program after identifying critical gaps in local microplastic monitoring data. Focused on building scalable citizen science infrastructure that produces results researchers and policymakers can actually use.
Step-by-step instructions for collecting microplastic samples using NOAA-aligned methodology. Equipment list and field tips included.
Everything your school needs to start contributing — from setting up a collection team to submitting your first verified dataset.
What counts as a microplastic? How do I identify polymer types? What equipment do I need? Answers to common contributor questions.
Whether you're a student looking to start sampling, an educator who wants your school involved, or a researcher interested in the dataset — we'd like to hear from you.