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Quantification of plastic pollution on global coastlinesAlice Zhu from the University of Toronto will talk about "Quantification of plastic pollution on global coastlines" in this specialized seminar on November 15th from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Alice is a PhD Candidate in Chelsea Rochman lab at the University of Toronto and is presently visiting UC San Diego/Scripps this year to work with Professor Matthew Mazloff on modelling global reservoirs of plastic pollution in the marine environment. Her doctoral research is geared towards better understanding the sources and fate of plastic pollution in the environment. Join us for this event in person at ESB 5104.
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Plastics in the Earth SystemJoin us for an enlightening colloquium about "Plastics in the Earth System" on November 14th from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, featuring Alice Zhu from the University of Toronto. Alice is a PhD Candidate in Chelsea Rochman lab at the University of Toronto and is presently visiting UC San Diego/Scripps this year to work with Professor Matthew Mazloff on modelling global reservoirs of plastic pollution in the marine environment. Her doctoral research is geared towards better understanding the sources and fate of plastic pollution in the environment. The talk will be held in person in ESB 5104.
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UBC Microplastics Symposium - Day 2Short overview of the symposium:
The symposium will start on Monday, May 8th at 9:00 am and end on Tuesday, May 9th at around 3:00 pm.
We will host four main sessions over the course of the symposium that will include talks, each lasting 12 minutes with an additional 3 minutes for discussion.
On Monday afternoon, we have a partner workshop scheduled to facilitate grant writing with potential partners, and on Monday evening, there will be a two-hour poster session followed by a reception with drinks and food.
Tuesday will be a morning of talks, and in the afternoon we are organizing lab tours.
Download ProgramEventbrite
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Partner WorkshopDuring the UBC Microplastics Symposium, we are preparing a 3-h Partners workshop with the goal to:
Understand the concerns of our partners in regard to microplastics pollution to align our research goals with societal information needs.
Share possible research funding opportunities across the partners.
Determine strategic next steps to initiate collaboration e.g. on a grant proposal/project
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UBC Microplastics Symposium - Day 1Short overview of the symposium:
The symposium will start on Monday, May 8th at 8:30 am and end on Tuesday, May 9th at around 3:00 pm.
We will host four main sessions over the course of the symposium that will include talks, each lasting 12 minutes with an additional 3 minutes for discussion.
On Monday afternoon, we have a partner workshop scheduled to facilitate grant writing with potential partners, and on Monday evening, there will be a two-hour poster session followed by a reception with drinks and food.
Tuesday will be a morning of talks, and in the afternoon we are organizing lab tours.
EventbriteDownload Program
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Regulatory Science WorkshopThe Regulatory Science workshop is happening this Thursday, April 27th from 10am-12pm PST on Zoom!
Samantha Howe from Environment and Climate Change Canada will be giving a presentation about the work of her department related to the use of science for regulations with a focus on microplastics. There will be time following the presentation for discussion and questions.
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Journal Club VIII
The 8th Journal Club, organized by the UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment for students and post-docs, takes place on 28th March 2023 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in person in room E311, in the Chemistry Building (Vancouver campus) or online on Zoom.
Nadia Abdollahi G. from Abbas Milani's group will present:
"From bottle to microplastics: Can we estimate how our plastic products are breaking down?"
Come and join us!
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Journal Club VIIThe 7th Journal Club, organized by the UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment for students and post-docs, takes place on 14th March 2023 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in person in room E311, in the Chemistry Building(Vancouver campus) or online on Zoom.
Joud Jelassi from Sepideh Pakpour's group will present:
"Magnetism-Assisted Density Gradient Separation of Microplastics"
Come and join us!
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External Seminar SeriesDemocratizing and enhancing microplastics science and monitoring with innovative technologies and capabilities
Anna Posacka, PhD
Chief Scientist
Ocean Diagnostics Inc
https://www.oceandiagnostics.com/
Thursday, March 9, 10:30 to 11:30 am (PST) on ZOOM
Abstract: “In this talk Anna will introduce Ocean Diagnostics Inc (ODI), an emerging Canadian company developing technologies and services to monitor and prevent ocean plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. Specifically, our aim is to overcome the technical challenges and inefficiencies of current sampling and analysis methods for microplastics and make collection of robust data by scientists, decision-makers, and the public more accessible. Further, through partnerships with academia, government, eNGOs and community scientists we seek to advance the state of knowledge on plastics and fill data gaps through our open access database Marianna. Anna is a Chief Scientist at ODI and has been researching plastic pollution since 2018. This includes studies on microplastic releases from textiles, their inputs, fate and discharge via municipal wastewater systems, their movement throughout the Arctic’s Beluga whale food web and the development of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques to identify weathered textile fibers. This experience has shown that while microplastics are prevalent, our ability to fully understand their exposure, behaviour and risks is limited by both low throughput and precision of existing laboratory techniques. This led Anna to ODI where she leads a growing team of scientists and engineers developing efficient laboratory capabilities for routine microplastic testing, identification, and characterization."
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External Seminar Series Removing Microplastics from Model Shipboard Greywaters
Hongying Zhao
BC Research Inc.
www.bcri.ca
Thursday, March 2, 10:30 to 11:30 am (PST) on ZOOM
Abstract: “A proof-of-concept study was undertaken in this study to evaluate various separation technologies for the removal of microplastic (MP) in the 200 nm to 3 mm size range from model shipboard greywater (GW), a wastewater stream that combines ship laundry water, accommodation water and galley water. This experimental study provided an in-depth understanding on whether microplastics in such a complex aqueous stream of GW can be separated efficiently with commercially available processes, with particular application to laundry effluents”
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External Seminar SeriesMicroplastics in Shellfish Aquaculture
Logan Zeinert
North Island College
Website
Thursday, February 16, 10:30 to 11:30 am (PST) on ZOOM
Abstract: “The project focused on the degradation of anti-predator netting used in shellfish aquaculture around Vancouver Island. Two experiments evaluated the various types and concentrations of microplastics and/or additives leaching into the ocean from anti-predator netting. In the first experiment, anti-predator netting of different ages were tested and evaluated for the degradation of mechanical properties. In the second experiment, used and new anti-predator netting was tested to determine the levels of leaching of certain additives often used in UV-resistant coatings.”
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Seminar Series Fall 2022: Showcasing Members of the ClusterTHEME 1 AQUATIC SYSTEMS: How do we investigate the environmental, social and economic impacts of MPs pollution in aquatic systems?
Mona Rahmani (Rahmani Group), Lori Waugh (Maldonado Group), Jose Valenti (Allen Group) and Rashid Sumaila (Sumaila Group) will each give 10-minute presentations on their ongoing microplastics research or ideas for research questions.
Prof. Mona Rahmani: "Aggregation of microplastic and biogenic particles in a upper-ocean turbulence"
Lori-jon Waugh: "Investigating the weathering-induced changes to polyester microfibers that influence their fate in the marine environment."
Jose Valenti Muelas: "Lagrangian tracking of virtual fibers in the Salish Sea"
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: "Minimizing micro(plastic) pollution: Refillables versus single use"
Background:
As we have a number of new members, and a number of new projects amongst long-term members, the UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment is running a Seminar Series, where we will showcase members of the cluster and their research.
The idea is to have 10 minutes presentations by four different labs every time we meet, to discuss microplastics research being conducted, or any ideas on research questions different labs would like to address.
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Seminar Series Fall 2022: Showcasing Members of the ClusterTHEME 1 AQUATIC SYSTEMS
How do we investigate the environmental, social and economic impacts of MPs pollution in aquatic systems and soils?
Prof. Juan José Alava and his Master student Karly McMullen will each give 10-minute presentations on their ongoing microplastics research or ideas for research questions.
Prof. Juan José Alava: "Microplastics: Bioaccumulate or not Bioaccumulate? Research Progress with implications for Bioaccumulation Sience and Marine Plastic Pollution Management"
Karly McMullen (Master student, Juan José Alava's lab): "Microplastics in Galápagos seawater and diet items of the Galápagos Penguin and concerns from Ecuadorian Mangrove Communities"
Background:
As we have a number of new members, and a number of new projects amongst long-term members, the UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment is running a Seminar Series, where we will showcase members of the cluster and their research.
The idea is to have 10 minutes presentations by four different labs every time we meet, to discuss microplastics research being conducted, or any ideas on research questions different labs would like to address.
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Toolbox Dialogue WorkshopThe UBC Cluster of Microplastics, Health and the Environment organizes a Toolbox Dialogue Seminar, hosted by Chet McLeskey and Edgar Cardenas, members of the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative, a consulting and research group based at Michigan State University.
The aim of the workshop is to expand the dialogue between disciplines and enable joint capacity building for research and knowledge transfer.
We want to bring members of the Microplastics Cluster together to discuss their areas of research and get a bigger picture of who is part of the cluster and who they can collaborate with.
The Toolbox Dialogue Initiative is a consulting and research group based at Michigan State University that includes members from ten US universities. They facilitate collaborative capacity building with partners around the world, and investigate the practice of collaborative research, including team science, with an emphasis on understanding cross-disciplinarity and knowledge production.
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Seminar Series Fall 2022: Showcasing Members of the ClusterTHEME 1 AQUATIC SYSTEMS: How do we investigate the environmental, social and economic impacts of MPs pollution in aquatic systems?
Marcus Johns (Cranston Group), Michelle Tseng (Tseng Group), Brian Hunt (Hunt Group) and Thusitha Rathnayake (Beck Group) will each give 10-minute presentations on their ongoing microplastics research or ideas for research questions.
Marcus Johns (Post-doc, Emily Cranston lab):“In-line characterization of microplastics via autofluorescence spectroscopy”
Prof. Michelle Tseng: “Ecological effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms” (Co-authors: Natasha Klasios, Jihyun Kim, Sunny Gong, Markus Thormeyer)
Prof. Brian Hunt: “Microplastics in marine food webs: establishing a baseline in Baynes Sound, B.C.”
Thusitha Rathnayake (PhD student, Sara Beck lab): “Investigation of microplastics (MP) contamination in rural community's water sources and use of UV-LED to weaken the MP's structure”
Background:
As we have a number of new members, and a number of new projects amongst long-term members, the UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment is running a Seminar Series, where we will showcase members of the cluster and their research.
The idea is to have 10 minutes presentations by four different labs every time we meet, to discuss microplastics research being conducted, or any ideas on research questions different labs would like to address.
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Journal Club IVThe UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment organizes Journal Clubs for students and post-docs.
The next event takes place on 18th November from 3 to 4 pm in person in room 420 in AERL (Vancouver campus) or online on Zoom.Karly McMullen from Juan José Alava's group will present a paper on " Sampling, isolating and identifying microplastics ingested by fish and invertebrates” by Lusher et al. (2017).
Karly will only focus on the following sections: 2.2.3. Digestion, 2.2.4. Density Separation, and 3.2. Effective Plastic Isolation. She thinks the paper is relevant to our group because as we explore microplastics' impacts on organisms and the environment, either in lab or in the field, we need to use digestion techniques to uncover ingested microplastics, but still there are many limitations and caveats to consider depending on what digestion agents are used. These limitations may impact results which ultimately feed into the social realm of plastic pollution and policy making.
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Seminar Series Fall 2022: Showcasing Members of the ClusterTHEME 1 & 4 AQUATIC SYSTEMS and MITIGATION: How do we investigate the environmental, social and economic impacts of MPs pollution in aquatic systems? How do we mitigate MPs pollution more effectively?
Rachel Scholes (Scholes Group) and Josh Travers (Öberg Group) will give short presentations on their ongoing microplastics research or ideas for research questions.
Prof. Rachel Scholes “Emerging contaminants from tire wear particles and removal in green infrastructure systems”;
Josh Travers (Master student, Gunilla Öberg’s lab): “Managing Plastics and the Idea of a Circular Economy”
Background:
As we have a number of new members, and a number of new projects amongst long-term members, the UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment is running a Seminar Series, where we will showcase members of the cluster and their research.
The idea is to have 10 minutes presentations by four different labs every time we meet, to discuss microplastics research being conducted, or any ideas on research questions different labs would like to address.
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Seminar Series Fall 2022: Showcasing Members of the ClusterTHEME 2 AIR & HEALTH: How do we investigate the environmental, social and economic impacts of MPs pollution in air?
Liliane Stewart (Maldonado Group), Matthew D. Kowal (Grant Group) and Andres de Leon (Pakpour Group), will each give 10-minute presentations on their ongoing microplastics research or ideas for research questions.
Liliane Stewart (Student, Prof. Maite Maldonado lab) "Investigating the presence, concentration, and deposition rates of aerosol-based microplastics via wet and dry deposition"
Matthew D. Kowal (PhD student, Prof. Edward Grant lab) "iSCAT: A new technique for nanoplastic identification"
Andres de Leon (Post-doc, Prof. Sepideh Pakour lab) "Investigation on the in vivo effect of environmentally inhaled micro-plastics on the CNS"
Background:
As we have a number of new members, and a number of new projects amongst long-term members, the UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment is running a Seminar Series, where we will showcase members of the cluster and their research.
The idea is to have 10 minutes presentations by four different labs every time we meet, to discuss microplastics research being conducted, or any ideas on research questions different labs would like to address.
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Seminar Series Fall 2022: Showcasing Members of the ClusterTHEME 1 AQUATIC SYSTEMS: How do we investigate the environmental, social and economic impacts of MPs pollution in aquatic systems?
Tao Huan (Huan Group), Morgan Griffith (Francois Group), Aurelio Morales (Häfeli Group) will each give 10-minute presentations on their ongoing microplastics research or ideas for research questions.
Prof. Tao Huan "Interrogating the Change of Zooplankton Metabolome under Microplastics Exposure
Morgan Griffith (MSc student, Prof. Roger Francois lab) "Teaching old carbon new tricks... using the depletion of 14C in particulate organic matter as a metric for microplastic pollution"
Aurelio Morales (MSc student, Prof. Urs Häfeli lab) "Designing and preparing 13C labelled MPs particles and fibers to investigate microbial degradation of MPs"
Background:
As we have a number of new members, and a number of new projects amongst long-term members, the UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment is running a Seminar Series, where we will showcase members of the cluster and their research.
The idea is to have 10 minutes presentations by four different labs every time we meet, to discuss microplastics research being conducted, or any ideas on research questions different labs would like to address.
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Journal Club IThe UBC Cluster for Microplastics, Health and the Environment is organizing Journal Clubs for students and post-docs.
The first event takes place on Friday, 23rd September, from 4 pm to 5 pm.
The first speaker is going to be Matt D. Kowal from Prof. Edward Grant’s group. He will present a paper on “Nano- and Microplastics in the workspace”.
The meeting is held in hybrid:
in-person: room 420, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver
on Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/64081342595?pwd=bjZaZG1jSkRmNjVNSWFjb0g0UmdSZz09
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Problem-solving Workshop ITeresa M. Seifried introduced the topic "Challenges in MP Sample Collection and Processing" and presented a guideline for quality assurance/quality control. This was followed by a discussion of individual questions on this topic, which participants could submit in advance by e-mail. A summary of the workshop can be found here.
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Data Justice WorkshopCluster members were invited to participate in a workshop about data justice and listen to a podcast and skim this article in preparation. After an introductory presentation by Gunilla Öberg, participants were divided into breakout groups and asked to reflect on the following questions using a miro-board: (1) Is there value-free data?, (2) Why are you measuring the things you are measuring?, (3) What would your data collection look like if you were guided by other values? Please find the outcome of the miro-board notes here.
UBC Microplastics Cluster Knowledge Exchange SeriesWant to connect with new audiences, build partnerships, and drive research impact? The University of British Columbia Microplastics Cluster is pleased to offer a three-part series facilitated by Hikma Strategies (https://www.hikmastrategies.com/). Each of the workshops below will help participants build core competencies in knowledge exchange through presentations, group activities, and individual exercises.
Workshop Dates:
Part 1: Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 from 11am-12pm Pacific
Part 2: Thursday, March 10th, 2022 from 11am-12pm Pacific
Part 3: Thursday, March 17th, 2022 from 11am-12pm Pacific
This virtual series is open to UBC faculty, staff and students interested in microplastics research and related topics. Participation is free, but space is limited, and registration is required.
To register, click here. (Registration closed)
Part 1: Communicate with Non-Specialists
Research experts often find it challenging to engage non-specialist audiences in ways that preserve the rigor and credibility of their work. This workshop will offer a framework and actionable strategies to write research narratives that inform and engage non-specialist audiences. It will focus specifically on how to develop a brief, effective research summary tailored for a target audience beyond your field who may or may not have a research background. We will explore how to create common ground, prioritize key points, preserve credibility, and invite curiosity. The principles discussed in this workshop can be applied to a wide range of genres such as op-eds, educational case studies, and summaries for funding proposals. Participants may wish to come with a research topic in mind and to workshop their topic in a notebook during the webinar.
Part 2: Ask Generative Questions
To translate knowledge effectively, it is critical that you first understand where your partners, collaborators, and actors are coming from. This workshop will provide a framework and actionable strategies to identify your own knowledge gaps and tap into areas of expertise. We will discuss common areas where researchers get stalled in partnership development and show how to leverage curiosity and empathy to build common ground.
Part 3: Map the Context for Your Research
If you are working on an urgent need, challenge or opportunity, it’s likely that you are not alone. We are better prepared to solve complex challenges when we know who to collaborate with, and how to create the best conditions for shared success. This workshop will provide frameworks and actionable strategies to think more deeply about the people and processes that make change possible in specific contexts. Participants will leverage context mapping to brainstorm potential partners and identify promising opportunities for collaboration.
About the Facilitator
Erica Machulak, PhD, is the Founder of Hikma Strategies, an organization that helps people with unique expertise attract funding, build partnerships, and communicate complex ideas to new audiences. Through editorial consulting, writing, instructional design, and facilitation, she works with experts across fields to effect change through knowledge translation. Her work has been published by Inside Higher Ed, Intellect Ltd, the Yearbook of Langland Studies, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the University of Oxford (MSt.), and the University of Notre Dame (PhD).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this series for?
This series is open to members of the University of British Columbia research community (faculty, staff, students and postdocs) interested in translating research related to microplastics. Whether you have decades of experience building research partnerships or are just getting started, this series will help you reframe and jump start your knowledge translation plans.
What will I learn?
The topics covered will focus on building internal capacity among research community members so that participants feel prepared to communicate with new audiences and connect with partners. Throughout the three topics in this series, we will focus on building participants’ knowledge and confidence through the articulation of tangible, context-specific next steps.
What if I can’t attend all three events?
The three workshops in this series are intended to build on each other. To get the most out of the experience, we recommend that you attend all three. That said, participants who attend only one or two of the workshops will develop skills and receive actionable advice for their next steps in knowledge translation. Please note that these workshops will not be recorded.
How do I attend these events?
Registered participants will receive a Zoom link shortly before each event in the series. If you don’t see a link in your inbox, please check your spam folder for missed messages.
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Social Aspects of Plastic PollutionMedia and (Micro)plastics: Plastics Packaging, Public Perceptions and Policy
Lesley Henderson, PhD
Group Leader at Sustainable Plastics Research (SPlasH), Department of Social & Political Sciences, Brunel University London
Behavioral Barriers and Solutions to Plastic Pollution
Jiaying Zhao, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia & Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Sustainability
Plastic and the Pandemic: How Citizen science can be used to tackle the plastic pollution crisis during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic
Justine Ammendolia, MSc
Coordinator, Global PPE Tracking Initiative
Watch the recorded event here.
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UBC Microplastics Seminar Series-Erik van SebilleThe Physical Oceanography of the Transport of Marine Plastic
Dr. Erik van Sebille
Professor
Oceanography
Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Webpage
Wednesday, Nov. 24
11-12 am PST
Watch the recorded event here.
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UBC Microplastics Seminar SeriesPlastics 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.
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UBC Microplastics Seminar SeriesMicroplastics in Urban Stormwater
Dr. Karin Björklund
Water Quality Specialist
Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd, Vancouver
Friday, October 22, 2021
1-2 pm PST
Abstract: It is estimated that 10% of the annual production of plastics ends up in our oceans and that 70–80% of marine microplastics originate from land-based sources, transported mainly via rivers. Estimations have shown that the highest proportion of the total loads of microplastics into European rivers originates from road-related sources, transported with stormwater to receiving waters. Stormwater may also transport microplastics from other land-based sources, such as artificial turfs, and because of inadequate waste management. This talk will provide an overview of sources to microplastics in urban runoff, how the particles and other pollutants are transported with stormwater to marine waters, and how we can reduce microplastic loads in urban runoff.
Bio: Dr Karin Björklund has over 10 years' experience of research on stormwater quality. Karin started her career as a PhD student at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, followed by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Department of Civil Engineering at UBC. She then moved back to Sweden and worked as an Associated Professor in Sustainable Stormwater Management. Currently, Karin works as a Water Quality Specialist for the local engineering consulting firm Kerr Wood Leidal (KWL).
Watch the recorded event here.
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UBC Microplastics Seminar SeriesThe Multi-Dimensionality of Microplastics – and How That Influences Their Fate and Effects in Aquatic Ecosystems
Dr. Chelsea M. Rochman
Assistant Professor
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Toronto
https://eeb.utoronto.ca/profile/rochman-chelsea-m/
Friday, October 15
9-10 am PST
Please use the Zoom link below to join:
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/68185451284?pwd=TW96Ukc4Sk5pbXBqM2NxRUthQm93UT09
Abstract: Today, we are inundated with media about ubiquitous contamination of microplastic in our global ecosystems. Over the last decade, the amount of research and attention regarding the topic has elevated microplastic pollution to the global stage – setting priorities for research and policy. The story of microplastic pollution began in the remote central gyres of the oceans. Now we know that plastic debris is ubiquitous across all oceans, ecosystems, habitats and food webs – including in seafood and sea salt. In addition to understanding contamination, researchers have expanded their breadth of questioning towards the sources, fate, transformations and effects of plastic pollution. A deeper understanding has revealed the many ways in which plastic debris interacts with planetary cycles and affects physical and biological processes. This talk will provide an overview of microplastics and share recent research to better understand the fate and transport of microplastics in food webs (e.g., whether microplastics bioaccumulate and biomagnify) and how microplastics and their associated chemicals impact ecosystems across all levels of biological organization.
Watch the recorded event here.
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UBC Microplastics Seminar SeriesFate of Floating Plastic Debris in the Ocean
Dr. Matthias Egger
Lead Ocean Field Scientist
The Ocean Cleanup
https://theoceancleanup.com/
Friday, October 1, 2021
12-1 pm PST
Abstract: Plastic waste accumulating in the global ocean is an increasingly threatening environmental issue. A large mass of plastics is currently floating and accumulating in subtropical oceanic gyres. These so-called ocean garbage patches became a symbol of the impact of the wide scale use of plastics and its discarding in the global ocean. However, it is well recognized that the mass of plastics piled up at the surface of the subtropical gyres represents only a small fraction of the global plastic emissions into the marine environment. A major fraction of positively buoyant plastic debris is therefore currently unaccounted for, suggesting that there are unrecognized pathways that lead to loss of plastic from the ocean surface. In this presentation, I will summarize the current state of knowledge concerning the sources, transport, and fate of positively buoyant plastic debris in the ocean, ranging from micro- to macroplastics. Such information is of paramount importance to assess the long-term risks of ocean plastic pollution for marine ecosystems and to advance optimized mitigation strategies. Lastly, I will also discuss The Ocean Cleanup’s approach to ridding the world’s oceans of plastic.
Watch the recorded event here.