Speaker: Susanne Brander, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Hatfield Marine Science Center 

Topic: Plastics in the environment: impacts on organisms in Oregon and beyond

The impacts of micro and nanoplastics are well documented across both marine and freshwater organisms, but less work has been conducted using environmentally realistic particles. In this talk we will explore microplastic occurrence and the effects of a variety of material types, including traditional plastics, bio-based plastics, tire particles, and synthetic and natural fibers, in early life stages of fish and invertebrates. Brander will also discuss how these materials are impacting Oregon species such as Rockfish, Pacific Gray Whales, and important zooplankton prey species, as well as potential mitigation strategies.