Microplastics within two estuarine environments and risks presented to the associated food webs

Building on research initiated by CERCA and Project Watershed on microplastic presence in the Cowichan and
Comox estuary respectively the scope of the proposed project has been substantially expanded by including live
samples of crustaceans, fish, and algae apart from sediment and water samples from the estuaries and their
tributaries. The research will be conducted by a postdoc fellowship candidate, supported by MSc interns using the
research data for their graduate projects. The research findings are expected to shed light on the impacts of
microplastics on estuarine life and how it affects the food chain. The study results will be used by both NGOs to
raise public awareness on microplastic contamination in general and hopefully assist in source identification and
polluter education leading to a reduction of contaminants in both estuaries.

Faculty Supervisor:

Leah Bendell;Juan Jose Alava

Student:

Partner:

Cowichan Estuary restoration and Conservation Association;Project Watershed

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: