Tamara Galloway - Microplastics

Question 1

Wright et al. 2013 (Env. Poll.)

Answer 1

Physical effects of microplastics are understudied

• Microplastics can accumulate POPs (hydrophobic Persistant Organic Pollutants) which have a greater affinity for plastic than seawater
• Microplastics ingested by a wide range of low trophic suspension/filter/deposit feeders
• Bioavailability affected by size, density, abundance and colour of microplastics
• Harm from microplastics includes blockages to digestive tracts, abrasions, ulcers, hormone disruption
• Fibers are the most commonly found microplastic
• Need to determine whether the POPs attracted by microplastics also pass up trophic levels? What are the effects on humans?

Question 2

Laist 1987

Answer 2

Microplastic size range comparable to a lot of prey items e.g. plankton, fish eggs

Question 3

Fossi et al. 2012

Answer 3

Microplastic ingestion by fin whale

Question 4

Galgani et al. 2013

Answer 4

Negative effects of microplastics on the maritime sector

Question 5

Bowmer & Kershaw 2010

Answer 5

70-80% of marine plastic comes from terrestrial sources

Question 6

Cho 2005

Answer 6

• In Icheon city, Korea, fishermen are compensated financially for litter collection, cheaper than directly employing litter collectors.
• Many legislations prohibiting pollution and waste entering the marine environment, but vastness of area means monitoring and enforcement is difficult.

Question 7

Sussarella et al. 2016

Answer 7

POPs from microplastics shown to be passed to offspring in oysters

Question 8

Desforges et al. 2015

Answer 8

Based off of microplastic levels found in copepods (though acid dissolving technique), predicted >90 platic particles ingested by salmon every day (BC)