Faculty Advisor
Dr Manuel Montaño
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2022
Keywords
Internship_Report
Abstract
Understanding how microplastics act in environmental systems is of growing interest in the environmental toxicology field. Given the number of consumer and industrial grade plastic pollution, along with unknowns regarding their ability to sorb to other contaminants, it is key to understand how these microplastics behave in the environment. Microplastic pollution has the ability to not only negatively impact environmental health, but human health as well. Emerging results on microplastic trophic transfer alludes to the possibility that these plastics could trophic transfer (Athey et al., 2020). For example, when organisms are exposed to microplastics, along with the other contaminants sorb to the plastic, it can cause physical blockages and toxicity to the organism. If a human consumes that organism contaminated by microplastics, the evidence of organismal trophic transfer suggests a possible human exposure. An aspect that is important to understand in order to establish protective regulations is microplastic transport behavior. Various factors influence the transport of microplastics. Some examples include microplastic size, aquatic chemistry, biological influences, and mineralogy presence (Rauschendorfer, 2021).
Recommended Citation
Haney, McKenna, "WWU Research Intern - Investigating Particle Composition and Aquatic Chemistry Impacts on Microplastic Aggregation Behavior Through the Use of Nanopolymer-Nanoparticle Composites" (2022). College of the Environment Internship Reports. 33.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/cenv_internship/33
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf