 |
| BBC image of Phytoplankton Bloom taken from Satellite Earth from Space |
Phytoplankton are the ‘plants’ of the oceans, capturing Sunlight, minerals and Carbon Dioxide, and through photosynthesis creating nutrients and oxygen. They form the basis of the marine food chain and create 50% of atmospheric oxygen. Like all marine life, they are in trouble; affected both by warming oceans and pollution. Notably plastic pollution. As plastics are increasingly broken down by the actions of sunlight and mechanical forces into smaller particles (micro plastics and even nano plastics) they are becoming part of the planktonic blooms and being taken up by microscopic organisms as ‘food’. And so micro plastics enter the food chain.
Micro plastics attract man made pollutants, such as PCB’s, plasticisers, mercury chloride, DDT derivatives, fire retardants and fabric coatings etc etc. Chemicals which make their way into the marine environment from land based sources. These chemicals mimic oestrogen. Although only present in very low concentrations, their impact on marine life and ourselves is not known. 30% of fish are known to contain micro plastics. The Hebridean West Coast population of resident orcas feed on seals (high in food chain), they have not bred for several years and are known to have high levels of PCB’s in their blubber.
This summer I will be continuing my research and outreach work into marine micro plastics with 3 expeditions. Two by canoe, down the River Wye and another canal trip (any suggestions) and the third, walking a coastal path during peak holiday season to create plastic artworks on beaches.
Next summer I am taking part in another sailing expedition to sample for plastics in the Arctic. Any financial contributions to this would be hugely appreciated. As a thank you, you will receive personal emails with photos and regular updates.
Thanks for reading, and do sign up to this blog to receive it regularly in your inbox.
