Microplastics and microcontaminants in the Mediterranean coast
Toxicity and environmental and human health impacts
PLAS-MED
MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA, INDUSTRIA Y COMPETITIVIDAD CTM2017-89701-C3-1-R
The so-called marine litter, and in particular microplastics (MPLs), are recognised by the scientific community as an emerging risk for the environment and human health.
PLAS-MED will assess the risks associated with MPLs and their ability to accumulate and transfer other contaminants to living organisms, including the highly toxic and persistent marine biotoxins and persistent organic compounds (POPs), as well as emerging contaminants.
PLAS-MED will propose solutions for a sustainable management thanks to the action of three research groups organised into three complementary and synergistic subprojects
Sub-Project 1
will study the effects of microplastics in marine organisms and their influence on the transfer to the biota of other persistent pollutants. As well as it will characterize and monitor microplastics from the fluvial to the marine environments.
Sub-Project 2
will assess how microplastics can modulate the transfer and the effects of emerging contaminants in freshwater organisms.
This Sub-project will study the impact on human health through the food chain.
