UBC Microplastics Seminar Series

Plastics Fragmentation in the Waters: How Much Do We Know About It?

Dr. Beverly Po

Postdoctoral researcher
Department of Zoology
University of British Columbia
Webpage

Friday, October 29
1-2 pm PST

Abstract: Characterization of microplastics is often initially done by their morphology. One of the main characteristics in the shape of secondary microplastics, which are the smaller pieces that were formed from the fragmentation of larger pieces of plastics debris, is perhaps their randomness and irregularity. These were the result of natural weathering which is believed to be mainly driven by photochemical and physical actions in the environment. However, certain patterns have emerged in secondary microplastics that lead us to think there could be other, more specific, causal processes or events. This talk will provide an overview of fragmentation of plastics in the environment and will share our explorative learning experience regarding biological fragmentation.

Bio: Dr. Po is a researcher in aquatic ecotoxicology with interests in persistent organic pollutants and freshwater salinization; the latter being the focus of her current postdoc research at the UBC Department of Zoology over the past 2 years. She completed her PhD in the School of Biological Sciences at University of Hong Kong in 2017. Her involvement in the research on the amount of organic chemicals in microplastics in Hong Kong has triggered her interest into how much we actually know (and have to know) about the fragmentation of plastics.

Watch the recorded event here.