Marine Microplastics Pollution: Impacts on Coastal Ecosystems and Human Health
This session will include updates from researchers across the eastern United States coastline who are investigating the impacts of microplastics pollution on marine organisms and ecosystems, and potentially highlighting links to human health. Here we will also address some ongoing methodological issues in this emerging field of research, especially with regard to standardizing and contextualizing methodology and approaches.
Co-Chairs: Koty Sharp (RI) and John Patrick “JP” Walsh (RI)
- 9:00 am – 9:10 am
Introduction
Koty Sharp, PhD, RI-INBRE. Roger Williams University, Associate Professor, Biology and Marine Biology
John Patrick “JP” Walsh, PhD, University of Rhode Island, Professor Oceanography. Director, Coastal Resources Center - 9:10 am – 9:30 am
URI’s first university-wide signature research effort. Plastics: land to sea.
Peter J. Snyder, PhD, University of Rhode Island, Professor, Vice President of Research and Economic Development - 9:30 am – 9:45 am
Determining whether microplastics impact marine organisms.
Coleen Suckling, PhD, University of Rhode Island, Assistant Professor, College of Environment and Life Sciences, Dept. of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science - 9:45 am – 10:00 am
Shore to Seafloor: Plastic distributions throughout Narragansett Bay sediments.
Victoria Fulfer, PhD student, University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography - 10:00 am – 10:15 am
Scientific storytelling for impact.
Jason Jaacks, PhD, University of Rhode Island, Assistant Professor, Multimedia Journalism - 10:15 am – 10:30 am
Microplastics research in Delaware Bay: Observations, models, and ecological risk assessment.
Jon Cohen, PhD, University of Delaware School of Marine Science and Policy, Associate Professor - 10:30 am – 10:45 am
Microplastic pollution along the South Carolina coast: Linking sources, pathways, and human dietary seafood exposure.
John Weinstein, PhD, Citadel, Professor, Biology - 10:45 am – 11:00 am
Marine plastic litter and the pandemic: Trends in PPE prevalence and volunteer clean-up efforts.
Bonnie Ertel, Graduate student, Citadel - 11:00 am – 11:10 am
Synthesis and concluding remarks.
John Patrick “JP” Walsh, PhD, University of Rhode Island, Professor Oceanography. Director, Coastal Resources Center