FWR Panel discussion: Microplastic pollution in the water environment
Join us for our upcoming event that will bring together experts to explore the growing issue of microplastics in our aquatic and marine environments, and the implications for sustainable wastewater management. The event will feature lightning presentations from experts, exploring topics including the scale of microplastic pollution in our watercourses, key sources of microplastics, and the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics in aquatic environments.
The presentations will be followed by a facilitated panel discussion, giving attendees an opportunity to pose their own questions.
Presentations include:
- Microplastics: sources, effects and solutions
- From clear waters to plastic soup? Microplastic pollution in chalk rivers
This event has been organised by the FWR’s Sustainable Wastewater Management Technical Panel. It is free and open to all.
Our speakers
Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones
Winnie is a Lecturer in Marine Pollution at Bangor University. She is a marine environmental scientist with over a decade researching the sources, environmental prevalence, effects, and solutions to (micro)plastic pollution.
She has studied (micro)plastic pollution in a variety of terrestrial and marine environments, from agricultural soils and coastline to some of the most remote parts of our planet, including the deep sea and oceanic gyres. She has led research into the global land-sea releases and movement of plastics ('eXXpedition Round the World), and the environmental degradation and impacts of biodegradable and bio-based plastics across terrestrial and marine environments (NERC-funded “Bio-Plastic-Risk” project). Her interdisciplinary work has furthered understanding of the risks of plastic pollution in a changing world and informs effective solutions.
Since 2021, Winnie has been supporting the development of the UN Global Plastics Treaty – a legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution. She has attended the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee sessions and is a core member of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, co-leading working groups on 'Microplastics', 'Alternative & substitute Plastics', and ‘Plastic Product Design’.
Dr. Corina Ciocan
A Marine Biologist, Corina’s expertise is in functional ecotoxicology, focusing on biological responses of marine organisms to environmental stressors. Corina is Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton. Prior to working at the University of Brighton, UK, Corina was a full-time Research Fellow at the University of Sussex, UK after starting as a Research Assistant for the Romanian National Marine Institute. She was involved in a wide range of international research programmes (International Mussel Watch, EU Interreg Channel), investigating the detoxification mechanisms in marine invertebrates, DNA damage and impairment of reproduction mechanisms. Recently, Corina has developed a strong interest in the marine microplastics pollution and the potential input from boating activities.
Corina has published her research in high impact scientific journals, written book chapters and has appeared in TV and radio programs centred around her research into the contamination of the aquatic environment. Corina teaches Marine Biology at the University of Brighton UK and she brings a lot of her personal experience into the class room, encouraging students to participate in laboratory research and coastal surveys. In her spare time, Corina enjoys travelling, swimming, reading and walking her dog, Lulu.
More speakers tba!
Header image credit: © boophuket | Adobe Stock
