Anthropogenic Particles in Aquatic Ecosystems: From Plankton to Seafood
Microplastics contamination: from Plankton to Seafood, by Sandra Ramos (CIIMAR)
Microplastics are ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic environments, raising growing concerns about their potential impacts on marine ecosystems and human health. In this talk, I will present an overview of our research on microplastic contamination in coastal and estuarine environments, with a particular focus on the northwestern coast of Portugal. The talk will explore the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics across different environmental matrices, including water and sediments, as well as their presence in aquatic organisms, from plankton and early life stages of fish to larger marine species and seafood products. The importance of investigating microplastic contamination across different levels of biological organization to better understand the potential biological and ecological effects of these contaminants will also be highlighted.
Small organisms, big concerns: how widespread is anthropogenic particle ingestion?, by Joana Cruz (CCMAR)
Anthropogenic particles (APs), including microplastics and natural and semi-synthetic fibres, are widespread contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, raising concerns about their ingestion by organisms at lower trophic levels. This talk will explore the extent of AP ingestion among aquatic organisms, based on several studies conducted in Portuguese coastal and estuarine ecosystems and on São Tomé Island. These studies investigate the ingestion of APs by copepods, decapod larvae, the invasive hydrozoan Blackfordia virginica, and early life stages of fish. By comparing findings across organisms and ecosystems, this talk aims to identify common patterns in AP ingestion.
Sandra Ramos (CIIMAR)
Sandra Ramos, PhD, is a researcher and team leader of the Fish Ecology and Sustainability Research Group at CIIMAR-UP. Her research focuses on marine ecology, with an emphasis on fish communities and the impacts of anthropogenic pressures, including marine litter and microplastics, on ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. She applies multidisciplinary and participatory approaches, integrating stakeholder knowledge into scientific research to enhance environmental management and decision-making. Her work aims to strengthen the interface between science and society by promoting stakeholder engagement, fostering collaborative solutions to environmental challenges, and advancing Ocean Literacy.
Joana Cruz (CCMAR)
Joana Cruz holds a PhD in Marine Sciences and is currently a Junior Researcher at CCMAR and an Invited Assistant Professor at the University of Algarve. Her research has primarily focused on zooplankton ecology, while also addressing topics such as non-indigenous species, jellyfish trophic ecology, fish larval recruitment and benthic ecology. Since 2023, her research has also focused on plastic pollution at different trophic levels of aquatic food webs.
The seminar will be delivered online.
If you would like to receive a certificate, please email seminars@ciimar.up.pt by 4th of December.
In case of any questions, please contact CIMAR-LA’s Seminar team.