Tackling microplastics pollution: Claire Gwinnett
Tackling microplastics pollution: Claire Gwinnett
Author
Introduction
Pollution caused by plastics is widely recognised to have a damaging effect on the environment. Less well researched, however, is the impact of pollution by microplastics, which particularly affects our marine ecosystems, posing a threat to marine life and even human health through contamination of drinking water.
“My Fellowship opened my eyes to completely new ways of approaching both forensic science and plastic pollution research." - Claire Gwinnett, Fellow
Forensic scientist Claire Gwinnett (CF 2018) has been at the forefront of global research projects since her Fellowship, working to reduce the impact of microplastic pollution on the environment. In 2019, she was invited by Florida Atlantic University to co-lead the design of a project exploring forensic approaches in microplastic research, in particular the impact of cigarette butts in oceans. Working with experts in turtle conservation, she helped to design a project which includes a public engagement programme on the polluting effects of littering and its impact on ocean wildlife. Further projects Claire has led include a study investigating human impact on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and a National Geographic microplastics expedition sampling the health of the Hudson River in the USA.
Claire has also been pioneering new approaches to microplastic pollution sampling including the use of a new technology she invented – a tape called Easylift – to speed up and improve recovery of microplastic samples. Following its success, Citadel University in South Carolina is adopting the use of this new technology to see the impact of microplastics on road surfaces. Furthermore, Claire has been at the forefront of several projects to improve microplastic pollution sampling using mesocosms (an outdoor experimental system that examines the natural environment under controlled conditions). These have been so successful for research that Claire’s UK university – Staffordshire University – is considering building its own mesocosm.
Claire’s Fellowship to Australia, New Zealand and the USA explored international best practice in microplastics pollution sampling, analysis and removal, the results of which she has presented to leading research centres around the world.
Claire says, “My Fellowship opened my eyes to completely new ways of approaching both forensic science and plastic pollution research by linking me with experts from other disciplines. I now have the continued pleasure of collaborating with these experts (and new friends) working on solutions to our global plastic pollution problem.”
“My Fellowship opened my eyes to completely new ways of approaching both forensic science and plastic pollution research." - Claire Gwinnett, Fellow
Forensic scientist Claire Gwinnett (CF 2018) has been at the forefront of global research projects since her Fellowship, working to reduce the impact of microplastic pollution on the environment. In 2019, she was invited by Florida Atlantic University to co-lead the design of a project exploring forensic approaches in microplastic research, in particular the impact of cigarette butts in oceans. Working with experts in turtle conservation, she helped to design a project which includes a public engagement programme on the polluting effects of littering and its impact on ocean wildlife. Further projects Claire has led include a study investigating human impact on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and a National Geographic microplastics expedition sampling the health of the Hudson River in the USA.
Claire has also been pioneering new approaches to microplastic pollution sampling including the use of a new technology she invented – a tape called Easylift – to speed up and improve recovery of microplastic samples. Following its success, Citadel University in South Carolina is adopting the use of this new technology to see the impact of microplastics on road surfaces. Furthermore, Claire has been at the forefront of several projects to improve microplastic pollution sampling using mesocosms (an outdoor experimental system that examines the natural environment under controlled conditions). These have been so successful for research that Claire’s UK university – Staffordshire University – is considering building its own mesocosm.
Claire’s Fellowship to Australia, New Zealand and the USA explored international best practice in microplastics pollution sampling, analysis and removal, the results of which she has presented to leading research centres around the world.
Claire says, “My Fellowship opened my eyes to completely new ways of approaching both forensic science and plastic pollution research by linking me with experts from other disciplines. I now have the continued pleasure of collaborating with these experts (and new friends) working on solutions to our global plastic pollution problem.”