Dalhousie University

Purpose

Monitoring the effects of micro- and nano-plastics on our oceans requires the following: identifying sources of contamination; ascertaining their biological impacts; developing reliable, validated detection methods; and producing specific reference materials. The Project addresses all of these aspects and could lead to novel and improved detection methods and the discovery of biological or chemical markers characteristic of plastic exposure. It will provide data on the extent and severity of plastic pollution in wastewater—one of the main sources of plastic pollution—and in the aquatic environment. It will also improve knowledge of the biological impacts of plastic pollution, allowing for better ocean impact assessments.