Hey Readers,
So I normally put a lot of knowledge on here for many of my readers whether you are a student, general reader, lover of science or just like a read.
Now, I need your help. I have just finished my university course (This is the first time I am revelling my life behind ScienceNerd101). I have been researching Microplastics within the UK
my dissertation was on ‘The Potential Effects of
Microplastics on Biodiversity across the South-East Kent Coast’. I am sending
this to you due to your help in giving me permission to work on Reculver’s
managed site for which I am very grateful for as my data proved to be extremely
useful from the area. My name is Georgia Oliver and I have been working on this
project for 6 months, I have worked alongside IFCA (Association of inshore fisheries
and conservation authorities) whom took water samples using the Florida
Awareness method. The reason water samples were taken across the whole of the
South-East of Kent was to see the levels of contamination and which areas are
affected the most. In contrast 6 sample was taken from a managed site and
another 6 from an un-managed to check if there was a break in the chain of
microplastic (of which there was not) however there was a fluctuation in
species where less microplastic was found, this was due to management skills,
and clean ups on the shores stopping oxygen depletion.
This is an effective study to marine research as
well as environmental management. If conservation did workshops to educated
younger generation to the world of microplastic and marine debris, 80% of
plastic may not end up in the ocean as 90% of plastic is microplastic.
Therefore, we as humans need to take away that 80% in the future to make an
impact.
I am hoping to take a masters’ degree in Ecology and
environmental management and would appreciate any help in funding me through
this. I do have a GoFund me page that is set up to continue research in this
area as I feel this field of research is highly important and I wish to carry
on proceeding in this area, All the money made on my GoFund me page is to go
towards my research in marine biota and microplastics if you do wish to look at
it this is the link below;
Through my Masters’ degree I have two studies I
wish to carry out unfortunately I can only do one. Both contain considering levels
of microplastics again comparing them to the levels I have seen this year
(2017),
1)
Aims to have more access to
shorelines across Kent to check biodiversity Species across the south east to
check if the levels of microplastic have affected a vast number of species not
just in conservation alone
2)
Aims to use Reculver as a
scientific area of study to see how marine biota is being affected by
microplastics, test if species if such as filter feeders’ cells are effected,
if they are this will show how they get into the food chain in marine research.
I would be so grateful for any donations, you will be helping the oceans as microplastics create dead zones meaning oxygen depletion which create zones where fish can no longer live if this continues the oceans will no longer be a place for marine biota. it needs to a matter that is dealt with.
Feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Sciencenerd101.
