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Plastic Pollution: What We Know and Where are We Going?

IDEALS (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) 2015
Sherri A. Mason

Summary

This overview by a chemistry and environmental sciences professor surveys the state of microplastic pollution research, noting that while plastic pollution in the oceans has been observed since the 1970s, intensive scientific study of microplastics is a relatively recent phenomenon. The piece contextualizes the field's rapid growth and highlights key knowledge gaps.

Study Type Environmental

Sherri A. Mason - Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Program Coordinator at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Although plastic as a mass produced material hit the stage post-World War II and plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is documented dating back to the early 1970’s, as an area of active, on-going scientific research it is really a topic of this century. The Great Lakes represent the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world, and thus it is fitting that most of the freshwater research on plastic pollution is focused right here. This webinar intends to present an overview of the research work that has been done to-date (both by the speaker and others), as well as discussing future work that is either already in the works or in need of being conducted.

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