Investigating Microplastics Contamination in Yukon’s Freshwaters and Fish

Microplastics (MP), defined as any plastic polymer particles <5000 ?m, are quickly becoming one of the most ubiquitous forms of anthropogenic pollution due to their detection in almost every natural system on the planet. To begin to understand the extent of microplastics (MP) contamination in the Yukon Territory’s surface water and in the food web in the Yukon, we propose to design a comparative study of a pristine water body and water body with known sewage effluent inputs. This study will help inform standardized protocols for field sampling, laboratory analytical techniques aimed at quantifying MP in the Yukon freshwaters and fish and characterize the risk MP pose to aquatic life and humans based on available toxicity data for MP. With close collaboration between industry partner Core Geoscience Services Inc. (Whitehorse, Yukon) and Simon Frazer University (Vancouver, BC), maximizes the chances of project success and ultimately leads to the betterment of the state of plastics science in the freshwater systems of the Yukon, and Canada’s North in the following years.

Faculty Supervisor:

Vicki Marlatt

Student:

Partner:

CoreGeo

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology; Sustainability & the Environment; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: