Microplastic particles are formed from plastic waste, which is the most widespread pollution in the oceans. In addition to containing harmful plastic additives, microplastics have a high surface area-to-volume-ratio which means that chemical organic contaminants can bind to the microplastics.
We are researching the ability of different types of microplastics to bind and release pollutants. The pollutants can be released in living organisms due to intake. Thereby, is there no only a physical load occur when organisms consume plastic but there is also a chemical load.
We investigate the potential release of additives from the plastic into the environment and their uptake into living organisms. Microplastics have already been found in organisms at all levels of the marine food chain.
