A roadmap for microplastic research in africa Dr Holly Nel (NRF Postdoc at Rhodes University) E-mail: hollynel1988@gmail.com

Primary microplastics Woody Cape, Eastern Cape Microbeads You get two categories of microplastics; namely “Primary Microplastics” and “Secondary Microplastics”. Primary microplastics are plastic particles made to be less than 5mm in size. For example, plastic pellets, nurdles, used in the manufacturing of larger plastic items. (Note: Hand out bottle with nurdles in it). Another type are “microbeads” often found in house-hold products, such as body scrubs; face washes and toothpaste. (Note: Hand out bottle with microbeads in them) I would challenge everyone listening to go to their bathrooms and examine their facewashes for words such as “microbeads”; “micro-particles” and “polyethylene”. This means your product contains plastic, which will be washed down the drain and potential end up polluting the aquatic environment. Secondary microplastics are those originating from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as our plastic bottle and shopping bags. Primary microplastics Nurdles

Secondary microplastics Kalk Bay, Western Cape Secondary microplastics =

approx. 2000 microfibres + = Browne et al. (2011) 1 mm + = 500 µm Browne et al. (2011) Additionally, a large number of our clothing and carpeting is made up of plastic blends, which break-down during the washing process releasing small microfibres into waterways, eventually entering the marine environment. Have a look at the tag on the shirt you are currently wearing and see if it is made of plastic blends, such as polyester or nylon.

1 mm 500 µm

What is the way forward? Where are we now? Where have we been?

Microplastic publications according to Web of Knowledge: “microplastics” – 400 “marine” – 353 “freshwater” – 28 “terrestrial” – 9 “ingestion” – 143 “Africa” – 7 “South Africa” – 6 If we add “plastic particles” we can add another 3 to Africa and South Africa First paper globally: Plastics on the Sargasso Sea Surface by Carpenter and Smith (1972) First paper in Africa: The characteristics and distribution of plastic particles at the sea-surface off the southwestern Cape Province, South Africa by Ryan (1988) Overall there has been a exponential increase in microplastic research in the last 3 years (see graph)

What is the way forward? Marine Temporal trends Large-scale and meso-scale oceanic features as a mode of microplastic dispersal. Incorporation into the food-web and pathways through the food-web. Effects on individuals, populations etc. Freshwater/Estuarine Try quantify the amount of microplastics entering the marine environment. Institutions Universities and institutions need to work together. Departments need to start working together

International Joint Commission April 2016 developing and/or adopting standardized sampling and analytical methods developing a transport model to determine the sources and fate of microplastics assessing potential ecological and human health impacts investing in research for source reduction, improved recycling, and reduced release of plastic pollution.

Thank you