4. Don’t judge a plastic by its size - The emerging field of microplastic research

Episode produced by Morgan McMullen, Paige Van Rooy & Harlow Wood. The study of microplastic pollution is fairly new to the world of environmental science, yet this emerging field is gaining traction. These plastic pollutants are pouring into both marine and freshwater systems, mistakenly being eaten by aquatic species, and accumulating as they make their way up the food chain. But what legislation is in place to prevent this and what steps can we take to help reduce the amount of plastic in our waters? This research is critical, as we do not fully know what effects microplastics have on our ecosystems and human health. In this episode of Sync into the Earth, we discuss this emerging topic with two young researchers currently studying microplastics. First, we are joined by Karly McMullen, a Masters student at UBC. Karly’s research explores the bioaccumulation of microplastics through the food web, using the Galapagos Penguin as a flagship species. Second, we are joined by Eden Hataley, a PhD student at the University of Toronto. Eden’s research is focused on synthesizing scientific evidence to inform the development of management strategies to reduce plastic emissions in the Great Lakes. With both guests, we discuss the topic of science communication, the importance of this research, and ways in which we can share these novel findings with the world.