Alumni of the University of Essex matchfunded £800
By
Kelly-Ann Willson
Samos, Greece.
Hello! My name is Kelly-Ann and I am currently undertaking a Masters degree in Tropical Marine Biology at the University of Essex. For my end of year research project I want to contribute to our understanding of the impacts that microplastics have on marine organisms.
In order to do this I am trying to raise £1600 to fund my project which will be carried out with Archipelagos, the Institute of Marine Conservation in Greece (see image below for locations of the research bases). Why conduct this in Greece you ask? Well they have fantastic facilities and a great wealth of knowledge that I can draw on to aid not only my project, but my future career as a marine biologist too! So any help whether it's a small donation or just a share of this page will help and will be greatly appreciated! :)
(http://archipelago.gr/en/about-us/research-bases/)
If you want to find out more about the research that Archipelagos conduct check out their website here: http://archipelago.gr/en/
Plastics are a substance that are used daily in our lives, from plastic bottles to the plastic in your iPhone. Plastic, despite being an incredibly useful resource isn't biodegradable, so persists for an incredibly long time in the environment.
However, what you might not realise is that plastics are present in cosmetics that you may use daily, such as toothpaste and facial scrubs. These are called microbeads and as their name suggests they are very small. Many of these microbeads once washed down the drain escape water treatment plants and are flushed straight into the ocean. Once in the marine environment, microbeads are often mistaken for food items and are eaten by marine organisms, the consequences of which could have harmful effects on these organisms.
A Damsel fish larvae that is full of tiny microplastic particles.
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36435288)
So how does my project fit in with this? I shall be investigating which of the lower trophic level marine invertebrates ingest microplastic, such as sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sponges, anemones, crustaceans etc. Because these organisms have different feeding methods, we'll be able to see if one type is more susceptible to microplastics than the others.In addition to seeing whether these organisms ingest the microplastics, I will be also trying to find out if once ingested, the microplastics harm the organisms in anyway. Maybe by building up in their gut, so affecting their appetite, or by moving into other tissues in the body and causing other health issues. Additionally all of the data collected above will also contribute to our understanding of how microplastics may enter the food web.
Hopefully the outcome of my project might allow us to understand better how these microplastics affect marine invertebrates and where potentially in the food web they may enter.
Accommodation: £1348 for 2 months (2 x £674) to stay with the institute.
Travel expenses: £300 (Plane to Athens, plane to Samos, taxi to the institute)
I also will be offering a variety of personal rewards to those who donate to my case, ranging from a personal thank you email, to souvenirs brought back from my time spent in Greece.
To find out even more about microplastics visit The International Marine Litter Research unit's website (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/marine-litter) to find out more about the current research that has been conducted in this area.
If you want to find out how I am getting on, follow me Instagram (click the link below!).
Select this reward if you just want to donate to the project without receiving a reward.
5 claimed
Thank you so much for your donation! If you select this reward I will send you a personal email, thanking you for your donation.
0 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 July 2017
Thank you for your help towards my goal! I will send you copies of any photos that I take whilst out in Greece!
1 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 July 2017
Your contribution is much appreciated!! As a thank you I shall send you a postcard from Greece letting you know how I am getting on!
0 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 June 2017
Thank you very much! As a reward I shall send you a postcard from Greece and a selection of pictures taken from my time in Greece!
1 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 June 2017
Thank you so much for your help! As a reward I shall send you a hand written letter telling you about my trip away.
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Estimated delivery: 1 July 2017
Amazing! Thank you so much! As a show of appreciation, I shall send you a souvenir from Greece.
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Estimated delivery: 1 July 2017
Thank you so much! This is a great help! As appreciation for this I shall send you a souvenir from Greece and a handwritten letter with details of my time in Greece.
0 claimed of 3
Estimated delivery: 1 July 2017