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... Show moreThis 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. Show less
Environmental management is usually a complex issue that involves many scientific disciplines and many stakeholders. Environmental management is therefore much helped by schemes that can guide... Show moreEnvironmental management is usually a complex issue that involves many scientific disciplines and many stakeholders. Environmental management is therefore much helped by schemes that can guide research, reports and discussions in a manner that makes the interconnections between the key elements of problems and solutions visible. OPiC is the name of such a scheme (‘framework’). It is applicable to any environmental problem but the thesis of David Tsetse focuses especially on developing countries. OPiC interconnects, for instance, the causal chains in the environment and their mirror chains of environmental standards, the functions of nature, the desires of society, the analysis of products and services over their entire life cycle, criteria for evaluation, the identification of options for solutions and principles of policy design. A framework such as OPiC is not only a tool for the effective scientific and technical analysis, but may serve as well as a common foundation for collaboration between governments, companies and citizens. Show less
