Interview with Odei Garcia

Interview with Odei Garcia

  1. We would like to know if you think any of these technologies can help solve the challenge, and if they are realistic. And if not, since you study this area, what do you think is the most realistic or appropriate to solve it?
    I think that between the 2 technologies, IALL could be useful to detect microplastics on the surface of rivers and seas by coupling it to drones, small planes or satellites. The most effective option would be to limit the production of plastics and reduce their use.
  2. Have you ever heard of any scientific evidence, or seen any scientific paper, or any contact that could talk about from the medical field how eating fish that may have ingested microplastics can affect you? Or the simple fact of eating foods that can bring them? We focus on humans and not marine fauna, of course.
    Yes there are articles, for example: Microplastics and human health (10.1126/science.abe5041)
  3. What are microplastics and how are they defined in the context of marine biology?
    They are artificial polymer particles of less than 5mm
  4. What are the primary sources of microplastics in marine environments?
    Rivers, ships and debris from the land through the wind
  5. How do microplastics enter the marine food web and what are the possible consequences?
    They enter through the ingestion of a contaminated dam or directly through the water. It can cause the translocation of microplastics into tissues and pollutants associated with microplastics.
  6. Can you describe some of the methods and techniques used to study microplastics in marine ecosystems?
    Filter water with a trawl blanket to determine the concentration of microplastics in the water. Determine the intake of microplastics in the stomachs and tissues of marine fauna using techniques such as uFTIR, Raman or Pyrolisis-GC/MS. Remote-controlled boats, drones or satellites are also starting to be used to detect concentrations of floating microplastics.
  7. What are the most common types of microplastics found in the ocean?
    Polyethylene and polystyrene
  8. What are the challenges or systems to monitor and quantify microplastic pollution in the ocean?
    Impossible to control if the production of plastics and their consumption is not reduced. Challenges when making laws to control the production of plastics
  9. Are there any ongoing research projects or initiatives aimed at addressing the problem of microplastic pollution in marine environments?
    Yes, for example Plastic Busters or The Ocean CleanUp
  10. Are innovative solutions or technologies being developed to mitigate the presence of microplastics in the ocean?
    They are trying but I don’t think they are very helpful as I said above.
  11. Can you share any success stories or positive developments in the fight against microplastic pollution in the ocean?
    Cases of success would be the laws to ban certain single-use plastics (EU Single-Use Plastics Directive), but much remains to be done.