Seminar 6 February: Sentinels of plastic - Monitoring plastic pollution in the sub-Arctic ecosystem through fin whales off Iceland

Sentinels of plastic: Monitoring plastic pollution in the sub-Arctic ecosystem through fin whales off Iceland

Date and time: 5 February, 12.30 – 13.15
Place: Main conference room the the MRFI´s heasqurters, Fornubudir 5 Hafnarfjordur
Online Streaming MRFI´s: Youtube-channel
Lecture and og glærur: English

- Everyone is welcome! -

The seminar will examine the broad and global implications of plastic pollution on marine fauna, with a specific focus on investigating the occurrence and magnitude of plastic pollution in the Sub-Arctic ecosystem. This examination will centre around a sentinel organism, the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), during its summering period in the waters off western Iceland.

 

The seminar will employ two primary approaches: the assessment of ingested microplastics and the analysis of plastic additives. Highlighting the urgency of addressing this environmental challenge, the seminar will underscore the imperative for collaborative future efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of plastics on Icelandic marine fauna.

 

Dr. Odei Garcia-Garin, possessing a Ph.D. in Biodiversity, conducted research during his doctoral studies that focused on monitoring the impact of plastic pollution on marine fauna using remote sensing techniques. Additionally, his work included the analysis of microplastics and plasticizers. Dr. Garcia-Garin has actively contributed to research projects examining plastics in various locations, including the Mediterranean coasts, Galapagos, Iceland, and Antarctica. He has authored over twenty scientific articles, with a particular emphasis on anthropogenic impacts on marine mammals.