Assessing environmental distribution and stakeholder awareness of microplastics: A case study in Dundalk Bay

Kneel, Stephen (2024) Assessing environmental distribution and stakeholder awareness of microplastics: A case study in Dundalk Bay. Doctoral thesis, Dundalk Institute of Technology.

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Abstract

Microplastics have fast become a pollutant of ubiquitous nature in the environment, documented in pristine and remote regions worldwide and recently in humans. While studies on microplastics in marine environments are more established, comparatively understudied is the freshwater environment, with freshwater research generally focusing on larger rivers. Further to this, little work has been completed understanding the social aspect of microplastics despite it being an anthropogenically-caused pollutant. Additionally, the majority of studies completed on assessing microplastic presence are one dimensional in nature focusing on one environmental compartment, however, microplastics released into the environment can interact with numerous biota and travel between terrestrial, freshwater and marine systems. In light of these factors the research in this thesis therefore presents a holistic approach to microplastic pollution in Dundalk Bay and its associated freshwater inputs, while examining stakeholders in Irish fishing relationship with plastic. An important nursery for all commercial fish species in the Irish Sea, sustaining both a productive cockle and razor clam fishery and serving as a vital overwintering refuge for thousands of seabirds, the ecological and economic benefits of a healthy ecosystem here are numerous. In spite of these factors Dundalk Bay has until now been unstudied in terms of microplastics pollution and while its shallow nature with many freshwater inputs lend to a productive environment these factors may contribute to the accumulation of microplastics here and it being a hotspot for this pollutant. The results of this study indicate that microplastics are polluting the marine environment and associated freshwater environment of Dundalk Bay. Microplastics primarily fibrous in nature were documented in surface water, sediment and G. duebeni examined in freshwater rivers as well as in marine intertidal sediments and inhabitants of this shallow marine environment. Those surveyed within the Irish fishing community were aware of microplastic pollution pertaining to aquatic environments moreso than the terrestrial and noticed litter frequently and in large quantities when taking part in fishing activities but were also likely to remove it from the environment highlighting the role that fishers can have in reducing secondary microplastic pollution in more remote environments. The ubiquitous presence of microplastics in environs studied in this thesis highlight the need for mitigation with regards to this pollutant entering the environment.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Science > Biology Science > Chemistry Science
Research Centres:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Suzanne Linnane
Date Deposited:	19 Sep 2024 09:18
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2024 09:18
License:	Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0
URI:	https://eprints.dkit.ie/id/eprint/895

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