Towards a greater understanding of the presence, fate and ecological effects of microplastics in the freshwater environment

Abstract

This thesis combines field and laboratory studies to address some of the most pressing questions in the field of microplastic research. Specifically, the thesis addresses the topic of microplastics in the freshwater environment. The research presented covers both the environmental presence and abundance of microplastics, in addition to ecological effects, investigated using observational and experimental studies. These studies give a greater understanding of the abundance, types and sources of microplastics in freshwater systems in the UK, how organisms and chemicals interact with microplastics and the potential ecological effects on a range of freshwater organisms from different functional feeding groups and trophic levels.