I
am
investigating
the
fate
and
effects
of
microplastics
on
freshwater
algae.
My
research
involves
intensive
field
work
during
the
spring
and
summer
months
at
the
Experimental
Lakes
Area
(IISD-ELA),
as
part
of
a
multi-disciplinary
collaborative
project
known
as
PELAstics.
Freshwater
lakes
are
our
greatest
resources,
yet
they
are
currently
inundated
with
plastic
and
microplastic
pollution.
So
far,
we
don’t
yet
fully
know
the
fate
and
effects
of
these
pervasive
contaminants.
Periphyton
is
a
powerful
and
often
overlook
community
of
organisms
that
play
a
dominant
role
primary
production
for
lakes.
They
are
also
sensitive
to
an
array
of
contaminants.
Therefore,
my
focus
is
to
understand
fate
and
effects
of
microplastics
on
periphyton,
and
in
turn
this
will
help
us
to
understand
the
health
of
a
whole
lake
–
guiding
policing
and
clean
up
plans
to
help
protect
our
lakes.
