Microplastics in the coastal waters of Vancouver Island

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Wednesday, March 8th, 2017
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Microplastics have emerged as a problem of increasing concern in the world’s oceans. These small plastic particles (<5mm in size) are becoming globally ubiquitous in the marine environment due to sources such as wastewater discharge, coastal litter and industrial materials.

Microplastic ingestion has been documented in a variety of marine species ranging from zooplankton to fish and even marine mammals. Through bioaccumulation, there is potential for microplastics to move through the food chain and into the food we eat. Our lab has focused on commercially important species to determine microplastic concentrations in marine organisms destined for human consumption. Specifically, we looked at juvenile Chinook salmon and Pacific oysters in a variety of nearshore environments to assess the distribution of microplastics on Vancouver Island and aid further research into this contaminant as a potential threat to marine life and food security.

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This event is part of The Faculty of Science and Technology lecture series which will run every Wednesday starting January 18th through to April 12th 2017.  The lecture series is an opportunity for our Science and Technology faculty, local and international scientists to engage our VIU faculty, students and community in ongoing research, and science initiatives occurring in our regional and local coastal communities.