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Tag: Microplastics

Can we use bacteria to help clean up plastic in the ocean?
Microbiology Plastic

Can we use bacteria to help clean up plastic in the ocean?

A "microbiosphere" could be engineered to introduce plastic-degrading bacteria to marine plastic pollution, but many questions still remain.
February 20, 2023February 17, 2023 Hannah Collins
When microplastics go marshing in: A tale of two tidal marsh birds
Plastic Pollution

When microplastics go marshing in: A tale of two tidal marsh birds

As microplastic pollution continues to threaten coastal biodiversity, this study confirms its presence in tidal marsh birds.
March 25, 2022March 29, 2022 Cindy Lebrasse, Ph.D.
Mitigating microplastic pollution through ballast water treatment
Plastic Pollution

Mitigating microplastic pollution through ballast water treatment

By making a small change to existing ballast water treatment systems, we have a chance to tackle microplastic pollution.
January 27, 2022January 28, 2022 Cindy Lebrasse, Ph.D.
No longer a needle in a haystack: The distribution and abundance of microplastics in beaches
Human impacts

No longer a needle in a haystack: The distribution and abundance of microplastics in beaches

Where do microplastics end up in the ocean?
November 10, 2021November 22, 2021 Daniel Speer
Scratching the surface: Microplastic distribution in the surface layer of the world’s ocean
Plastic

Scratching the surface: Microplastic distribution in the surface layer of the world’s ocean

Researchers have developed a dataset of microplastics in the ocean surface waters across the globe.
October 26, 2021October 31, 2021 Kayla Mladinich
Microplastic debris in our oceans: how much does it really matter for food safety and human health?
Human impacts

Microplastic debris in our oceans: how much does it really matter for food safety and human health?

Citation: Luís Gabriel Antão Barboza, A. Dick Vethaak, Beatriz R.B.O. Lavorante, Anne-Katrine Lundebye, Lúcia Guilhermino, Marine microplastic debris: An emerging…
September 22, 2021September 30, 2021 Krti Tallam
How many microplastics are in your body? An insight into lifetime accumulation
Biology Chemistry Hazards Human Health Plastic Pollution

How many microplastics are in your body? An insight into lifetime accumulation

Microscopic plastics have been found anywhere and everywhere, including in the food we eat. With plastic pollution on the rise,…
July 30, 2021July 30, 2021 Kayla Mladinich
Let them eat plastic – Animals eating microplastic could choke the ocean
Plastic Pollution

Let them eat plastic – Animals eating microplastic could choke the ocean

Plastic pollution may bring to mind big images - dead birds, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and beaches filled with…
April 30, 2021 Kristin Huizenga
Can Green Algae Capture Microplastics in the Great Lakes?
Biology Human impacts Lakes Plastic

Can Green Algae Capture Microplastics in the Great Lakes?

Microplastics (specifically microfibers) can adhere to the cell walls of the green algae Cladophora, potentially removing them from the water.
March 19, 2021March 18, 2021 Hannah Collins
Biological oceanography Biology Ecology Fisheries Plastic Pollution

Plastics and Colors and Fish, Oh My!

Have you ever wondered what happens to the garbage that ends up in the ocean? Or about what just might…
December 22, 2020 Cierra Braga
Can Pacific Oysters handle a bit of microplastics in the lab? Shuck yeah!
Biological oceanography Plastic

Can Pacific Oysters handle a bit of microplastics in the lab? Shuck yeah!

Filter feeding animals like oysters can be exposed to small plastic particles, called microplastics, as they filter food out of…
October 28, 2020October 28, 2020 Hannah Collins
Microplastics, Canned Fish, and You: How plastic pollution may play a role in your next lunch
Conservation Human impacts Plastic Pollution

Microplastics, Canned Fish, and You: How plastic pollution may play a role in your next lunch

Did you know that many plastic items can shed tiny particles called microplastics? These microplastics are present everywhere in our…
October 26, 2020May 31, 2022 Francesca Giammona
Life in Plastic: 14 Million Tonnes of Microplastics Likely on Sea Floor
Plastic

Life in Plastic: 14 Million Tonnes of Microplastics Likely on Sea Floor

The deep-sea floor has always fascinated scientists and ocean lovers alike with its mystery and wonder. For the first time…
October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 Elena Gadoutsis
Is There Plastic in Paradise?
Plastic

Is There Plastic in Paradise?

Tropical islands like the Maldives have always been viewed as untouched paradises for most people, but what lies beneath the…
August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 Elena Gadoutsis
Traces of human plastic pollution in ocean sediment
Plastic Pollution

Traces of human plastic pollution in ocean sediment

Is the plastic we produce being stored in our oceans’ sediments? To answer this question scientists studied a sediment core…
September 25, 2019September 25, 2019 Samantha Setta
Giant Clams vs. Small Plastics
Plastic

Giant Clams vs. Small Plastics

Microplastics are found all throughout our oceans. But in the Red Sea, there are a lot less. Find out how…
September 16, 2019October 6, 2019 Constance Sartor
A boon to ocean conservation? Certain fungi can degrade marine plastics
Plastic Pollution

A boon to ocean conservation? Certain fungi can degrade marine plastics

Brunner I, Fischer M, Ru ̈thi J, Stierli B, Frey B (2018) Ability of fungi isolated from plastic debris floating…
November 26, 2018 R J Parker
Important oyster-producing region of British Columbia swamped with microplastics
Plastic Pollution

Important oyster-producing region of British Columbia swamped with microplastics

  If you grew up in the developed world, chances are you have an intimate relationship with plastic. Your lunch…
June 7, 2018June 6, 2018 R J Parker
Pollution

The Difference between Dippers and Divers: Plastic Pollution in Deep-Diving Seabirds

Plastic pollution is commonly imagined to be an issue that affects the sea surface. However, many small pieces of plastic…
July 25, 2017July 24, 2017 Carrie McDonough
Book Review Plastic

Paper or plastic? Policies inspired by research to find a solution to plastic pollution

Paper or plastic? In a lot of grocery stores, this is an innocent question, but recently it’s become a controversial…
July 19, 2017July 17, 2017 Laura Zinke

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