EnvEast Doctoral Training Partnership
Plastics and plankton: How big a problem?
Note: This studentship comes associated with additional CASE funding from DEFRA
PML Supervisors:
Dr Penelope Lindeque ([email protected]) and Dr
Nicola Beaumont ([email protected])
University Supervisors: Dr Michael Steinke ([email protected]) (University of Essex) and Richard
Thompson ([email protected]) (University of Plymouth)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Supervisor: Dr Tarquin Dorrington
Background: Microscopic plastic beads, fragments and fibres, collectively termed
microplastics (<5 mm) are widespread and abundant pollutants within our oceans,
highlighted as contaminants of global environmental and economic concern by
governments and international agencies across the world. These microscopic
plastic fragments have been identified in the water column and sediments of
marine and freshwater ecosystems across the globe. Owing to their small size and
abundance, microplastics are readily consumed by marine organisms. In recent
laboratory studies on small marine animals at the base of the pelagic food web
(zooplankton) we have shown that microplastic ingestion leads to reduced growth,
survival and reproduction. Our most recent field studies confirm that zooplankton collected from local sites in
the Western English Channel http://www.westernchannelobservatory.org.uk/ contain microplastics.
Aim: The aim of this PhD is to investigate the ingestion of microplastics by marine
biota, including the wider implications for the marine ecosystem and human
wellbeing.
Methods: This PhD will investigate the spatial and temporal overlap between
microplastics and pelagic organisms in the marine environment and therefore the
probability of encounter. Factors affecting the bioavailability of microplastics to
pelagic marine organisms will be determined as will the potential of an organism to
ingest microplastics. This is of particular importance for determining the wider
impacts of microplastics on the marine food web and potential levels of
contamination in organisms intended for human consumption.
Using laboratory facilities and field based sampling you will address the following
questions:
• Does the type, size or colour of microplastics affect bioavailability?
• Are aged microplastics more readily ingested than new plastics?
• Does the developmental stage of an organism affect its potential for
microplastic ingestion?
• What are the broader implications of microplastics for the marine ecosystem
and human wellbeing?
We seek an enthusiastic student with excellent attention to detail and a keen interest
in the marine environment. The student will join a dynamic group predominantly
based at PML under the supervision of Dr Pennie Lindeque and Dr Nicola
Beaumont. Together with partners from Plymouth University (Prof. Richard
Thompson), University of Essex (Dr. Michael Steinke) and DEFRA (Dr. Tarquin
Dorrington) the supervisory team provides a world leading group in marine biology
and plastics. Candidates are encouraged to contact the lead supervisor
([email protected]. uk) for further information.
Patron: James Cameron