Prof Thompson, Prof Galloway,Prof Lindeque : 3. Searching for Solutions to Microplastic Pollution

3. Searching for Solutions to Microplastic Pollution

The three professors have been working on solutions to the problem of microplastics as well as conducting research on their impact on marine organisms.

Professor Penelope Lindeque works on the removal of microplastics using shellfish. Bivalves such as mussels ingest seawater to extract nutrients from the enclosed plankton and other substances. A single adult mussel can filter more than 40 liters of seawater per day. Furthermore, bivalves exhibit remarkable resilience to microplastic pollution compared to other vulnerable organisms. These mussels also ingest microplastics present in seawater along with plankton. In fact, it has been found that 5 kg of mussels can remove 250,000 microplastic particles from seawater in just an hour.

While the majority of microplastic is ultimately expelled as feces, a funnel-like apparatus has been successfully employed to capture microplastics along with the faces. The remarkable aspect of this method lies in its adaptability of any bivalve species found around the world.

Microplastic removal apparatus with mussels

Professor Tamara Galloway collaborates with various companies to develop products that replace conventional plastics. For example, she is exploring the use of banana peels to develop materials that retain the beneficial properties of plastic while being biodegradable. Additionally, her collaboration with Professor Lindeque involves the development of novel materials derived from waste products.

In fact, there are already biodegradable plastics designed to decompose in natural environment. However, their degradation rates can vary significantly depending on environmental conditions. Professor Thompson and Professor Lindeque are investigating the degradation behavior of various materials under different environmental conditions. Their research provides valuable information for the development of plastics with a low environmental impact.

4. Problems Close to Home