RIST Popular Talk -48
Microplastic is everywhere
Date - 12th February, 2021

INVITATION

You are cordially invited to attend a talk on the topic:
Microplastic is everywhere
organized by
Research Institute of Science and Technology (RIST), Imphal.

VENUE and DATE
RIST Office,
Department of Physics, M.U.,
on Friday, 12th February, 2021
at 2.00 pm

By: Dr. Chingakham Chinglenthoiba (John),
NIT, Calicut, and Post-doctoral fellow at National University of Singapore

Abstract: Microplastics (MPs), which are generally defined as plastic particles between 1 µm to 5 mm in size, have been widely detected in both aquatic and terrestrial environments worldwide. This has raised concerns about MPs' potential effects on aquatic organisms, particularly for smaller micro-sized (1-10 µm) plastics. The low degradation rate and small sizes make MPs persistent and easily accessible to a variety of aquatic organisms (from zooplankton to mammals).

Studies on MPs in freshwater environments have been predominantly conducted in lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Although the number of studies in freshwater environments has increased over the last few years, information about MPs in constructed wetlands is still largely limited.

Constructed wetlands have been used worldwide to treat wastewater or stormwater and have significant values in urban freshwater environments. They also provide habitats for organisms and essential services, such as reducing nutrients and pollutants entering receiving waters and are considered a 'sink' for many micro-pollutants. Stormwater runoff and wastewater discharge can transport pollutants to aquatic environments and have been considered as significant pathways for entry of MPs in freshwater bodies.

In this talk, the researchers aim to fill these knowledge gaps by identifying the abundance and characteristics (such as forms, sizes, and polymer types) of MPs in constructed wetlands. They will also investigate the potential biological effects and trophic transfer of MPs in a wetland food web. Besides, this talk focuses on smaller MPs (between 1 and 20 µm), which is currently lacking in the literature.

Failure to characterize a smaller size fraction of MPs has led to underestimating MPs' actual concentration in the environment.

(Prof. N. Nimai Singh)
Convener,
RIST monthly popular talk series
Head, Department of Physics
Manipur University
Canchipur – 795 003
Imphal, Manipur
Website: www.manipuruniv.ac.in