URIs_MOMENTUM_Research_and_Innovation_Magazine_Spring_2021_M

RESEARCH THRUST AREA: PLASTICS IMPACTS:

The pathways and interactions of micro- and nanoplastics exposures are numerous. It is still unclear what the long-term impacts of these are on human and environmental life. To understand, URI researchers across disciplines are studying how shellfish, seaweed, insects, human cells, microzooplankton and a variety of other living organisms interact with microscopic plastics pollution. This knowledge will support decisions further up the pipeline on how and at what level to remediate in domestic processes. Are they attracted to the microplastics? Will they digest them? And what volume do they digest? How are they emitted? What happens on a cellular, subcellular, individual and population level? How far do these travel up the food chain? What types of bacteria, invasive species and toxic chemicals adhere to them? What are their short and long-term outcomes on health?

COLEEN SUCKLING Assistant Professor Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science

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