Geography & Environmental Science Seminar Seminar

Speaker:

Dr Malcolm Hudson - Associate Professor in Geography and Environmental Science, leads the microplastic research network at Southampton.  

Title: Microplastic Pollution - Challenges for Estuaries and Coasts 

Despite some moves to restrict and regulate plastic waste and certain undesirable single use products, the issue of plastic pollution has become worryingly familiar to all of us in recent years. Coastal environments are the front line for this latest environmental threat, representing pathways to the marine environment and themselves hotspots for polluting accumulations. This is evident all around the world, but also of concern locally where alarming amounts of “nurdles” and other plastic waste materials are gathering on the shores of the internationally protected River Itchen Estuary. This talk will set out some of the challenges to coastal environments, and to scientists and policymakers in addressing  an issue which is exemplifying the plight of the environment in the “Anthropocene”.