How big of a problem is the issue of microplastics in our surface water?
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Dr. Markus Brinkmann (PhD) is determined to find out.
“Most of our food today contains some small amount of plastic,” said Brinkmann, an assistant professor at USask’s School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS). “Whether it’s from yogurt cups or synthetic tea bags, there is some plastic in human food and potentially even in our water supply.”
In one of a number of water quality research projects he is working on, Brinkmann has partnered with the South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards (SSRWS)—a non-governmental organization focused on initiatives that help educate people about water quality and the impact of our actions on the environment—and the City of Saskatoon to determine levels of microplastics that are draining into local river systems.
Continue reading at University of Saskatchewan.
Image via Juliane Schultz.