The risk of microplastics to Canada's ecosystems

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This proposal outlines research that is needed to assess the risk that microplastics pose to Canada's freshwater and soil ecosystems. These two ecosystems have received far less attention in terms of microplastic contamination relative to marine ecosystems. In this project, we will characterize the microplastic content of wastewater effluent and biosolids across the country. This project will also examine how the composition of microplastics changes in the soil environment, which provides information on the chemicals that may be released into the soil as microplastics degrade and how the ability of microplastics sorb other chemicals changes. We will also characterize the level of microplastic contamination that occurs to soils through the land application of biosolids and municipal compost and the use of plastic mulch in certain types of agriculture. Along with generating data on the exposure of freshwater and soil ecosystems to microplastics, we will determine the level of microplastics in freshwater and soil that can have an adverse effect on micro- and macroinvertebrates and the microbial community. Understanding the level of microplastic contamination in Canada's freshwater and soil ecosystems and how microplastics can have an adverse effect on biota in these ecosystems is critical to assessing the risk of microplastics. A robust ecological risk assessment of microplastics is one of the important first steps in managing this pollution issue and developing policy to protect Canada's natural resources. The knowledge produced by this collaborative multi-disciplinary project will guide the policy and decision making needed to address the impact that plastics are having on the environment. This project will also train 32 highly qualified personnel (HQP) in assessing the fate and risk of plastics. These HQP will increase Canada's capacity to address the problem of plastic pollution and in the formulation of the necessary policy. The project team will work with a committee from federal and provincial agencies and non-governmental organization that will ensure that the knowledge generated from this project is relevant to the plastic issues for which they need to develop policy and ensure the knowledge is spread broadly to users.