Microplastic distribution, fate and effects in UK waterways

微塑料（MP）是地球仪水生生态系统中的主要不可降解颗粒污染物。越来越多的证据表明，甲基溴对生物群和人类的危害使环境污染成为社会关注的问题，需要制定适当的环境政策和立法。通过河流和河口输送的陆地MP可能是向海洋环境供应的MP总量的主要组成部分。然而，直接和严格的估计MP在河流和它们进入海洋的通量受到很大的限制。这阻碍了对与接触甲基溴有关的生态和生物地球化学风险的评估。这也阻碍了立法的发展，以限制MP的环境积累。我们寻求一个积极性很高的学生i）调查MP负荷在英国水道，ii）检查在国家一级的MP分布的因素，iii）进行生态毒理学实验调查MP暴露对水生动物的影响，和，iv）开发一个预测模型MP污染在水生领域，这将如何在未来发生变化。该项目将有助于在国家和国际层面上制定关于MP使用和处置的缓解措施和政策。方法：该项目将利用NERC资助的陆地-海洋碳转移（LOCATE）方案的采样机会，并将涉及对Halladale（苏格兰），Tamar（英格兰）和Conwy（威尔士）及其相关河口的密集季节性实地工作。2018年，可能会在英国大陆周围的研究巡航中进行额外的实验和样本收集。实地采样将针对预计会出现不同的MP负荷和通量的地区。最先进的振动光谱和成像技术将用于检测，分析和量化水生样品中的MP，并提供关于英国水道中MP来源和起源的见解。学生将使用分子技术开发和进行受控生态毒理学实验，以研究不同浓度的主要微塑料类型如何影响微生物和浮游动物群落的健康。建模工作将涉及利用现有的和新获得的观测和实验MP数据，以参数化确定MP沿着陆地-海洋连续体的分布、归宿和影响。

Microplastics (MP) are a major non-degradable particulate contaminant in aquatic ecosystems across the globe. Emerging evidence for harm to biota and humans makes MP environmental pollution an issue of concern for society and requires the development of appropriate environmental policies and legislation. It is probable that terrestrial MP, transported via rivers and estuaries, is the dominant component of the total MP supply to the marine environment. However, direct and rigorous estimates of MP in rivers and their fluxes into the ocean are poorly constrained. This hinders assessment of the ecological and biogeochemical risks associated with MP exposure. It also prevents the development of legislation to restrict the environmental accumulation of MP. We seek a highly motivated student to i) investigate MP loads in UK waterways, ii) examine the factors governing MPs distribution at the national level, iii) conduct ecotoxicological experiments investigating the effects of MPs exposure on aquatic fauna, and, iv) develop a predictive model on MP pollution in the aquatic domain and how this will change in the future. This project will help the development of mitigation measures and policies on MP use and disposal at both national and international levels.Methodology: This project will build on sampling opportunities of the NERC-funded Land-Ocean Carbon Transfer (LOCATE) programme and will involve intensive, seasonal field work on the rivers Halladale (Scotland), Tamar (England) and Conwy (Wales) and their associated estuaries. Additional experimentation and sample collection may take place on a research cruise around the UK landmass in 2018. The field sampling will target areas where contrasting MP loads and fluxes are expected. State-of-the-art vibrational spectroscopy and imaging techniques will be used to detect, characterise and quantify MPs in the aquatic samples and provide insight on sources and origin of MPs in the UK waterways. The student will develop and conduct controlled ecotoxicological experiments using molecular techniques to examine how different concentrations of dominant microplastic types influence the health of microbial and zooplankton communities. Modelling will involve implementation of the existing and newly acquired observational and experimental MP data to parametrize the distribution, fate and effects of MPs along the land-ocean continuum.