Assessing the risk of microplastics in marine nearshore environments and biota using the Bayesian network-relative risk model
Presentation Abstract
Microplastics are emerging as a contaminant of concern in marine environments. Microplastics can cause physical damage to organisms via ingestion or respiration, can interact with other chemical in the environment, and can act as a mode of transport for less mobile microorganisms and toxicants. Their toxicological effects have been documented in recent scientific literature, however their specific mechanisms of action in marine biota are still relatively unknown. Specific stressors associated with plastics include their size, shape, composition, and properties that enable the sorption of contaminants to them. This project will entail sampling multiple locations of the Salish Sea region for the presence, location, size, and area cover of microplastics. Preliminary sampling is planned for Liberty Bay in Poulsbo, WA and Bellingham Bay in Bellingham, WA. These data will be entered into the Bayesian Network-Relative Risk Model (BN-RRM). The BN-RRM is a probabilistic ecological risk assessment framework that will be used to determine the exposure-effect pathways of microplastics to specific, predetermined endpoints in the marine nearshore environment and determine the risks they pose to those endpoints. The BN-RRM will focus on assessing risks associated with the microplastic’s size and types. Other stressors that will be considered in the model include pollutants that are sorbed to the microplastics, and nonindigenous materials such as metals and persistent organic pollutants. The results of this project will be a model that can be updated periodically as more data are collected to elucidate exposure pathways, modes of action, and effects of microplastics on marine biota and nearshore environments.
Session Title
Posters: Fate, Transport, & Toxicity of Chemicals
Conference Track
SSE18: Posters
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE18-61
Start Date
5-4-2018 11:30 AM
End Date
5-4-2018 1:30 PM
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
posters
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Microplastics--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Marine animals--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Aquatic ecology--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Water--Pollution--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Assessing the risk of microplastics in marine nearshore environments and biota using the Bayesian network-relative risk model
Microplastics are emerging as a contaminant of concern in marine environments. Microplastics can cause physical damage to organisms via ingestion or respiration, can interact with other chemical in the environment, and can act as a mode of transport for less mobile microorganisms and toxicants. Their toxicological effects have been documented in recent scientific literature, however their specific mechanisms of action in marine biota are still relatively unknown. Specific stressors associated with plastics include their size, shape, composition, and properties that enable the sorption of contaminants to them. This project will entail sampling multiple locations of the Salish Sea region for the presence, location, size, and area cover of microplastics. Preliminary sampling is planned for Liberty Bay in Poulsbo, WA and Bellingham Bay in Bellingham, WA. These data will be entered into the Bayesian Network-Relative Risk Model (BN-RRM). The BN-RRM is a probabilistic ecological risk assessment framework that will be used to determine the exposure-effect pathways of microplastics to specific, predetermined endpoints in the marine nearshore environment and determine the risks they pose to those endpoints. The BN-RRM will focus on assessing risks associated with the microplastic’s size and types. Other stressors that will be considered in the model include pollutants that are sorbed to the microplastics, and nonindigenous materials such as metals and persistent organic pollutants. The results of this project will be a model that can be updated periodically as more data are collected to elucidate exposure pathways, modes of action, and effects of microplastics on marine biota and nearshore environments.
