Do you consider it important to focus on the fight against plastic pollution?

Yes, I consider it fundamental. In recent decades, the annual production of plastics has grown exponentially, from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to about 450 million metric tons today. If this trend continues, it is estimated that by 2050 annual production could reach 13 billion metric tons. Despite this enormous production, only 9% of plastic is recycled and 12% is incinerated; the rest accumulates in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, generating a serious environmental problem. These plastics are exposed to physical, Chemistry, mechanical and biological degradation processes and tend to fragment into smaller particles known as microplastics, which present even greater risks due to their persistence, small size and ability to disperse.
 

How can this problem be addressed from your research area ?

The Chemistry department is carrying out several initiatives to address this problem. In particular, a financial aid INVESTIGO focused on the development of methodologies for the extraction of microplastics from different environmental matrices. In addition, plastic degradation tests were carried out using different factors to simulate the conditions to which they are subjected in the environment (Leire Iturain). Currently, I am developing my doctoral thesis on this topic, which will allow to deepen the study of microplastics, their extraction and degradation. It is also foreseen to offer Final Degree Works, Master's Degree Final Works and intern students with the goal of extending and giving continuity to this line of research.
 

Are you participating in any project related to this issue? Tell us briefly! If not, what project or idea would you like to implement to tackle plastic pollution?

Yes, my PhD thesis is directly related to microplastic pollution. It deals with core topic aspects such as the extraction of microplastics from different environmental matrices (soil, water, etc.) and the degradation of plastics by physical (UV radiation, temperature, relative humidity), chemical (acids and instructions), mechanical and biological (bacterial action) factors. The goal is to reproduce at laboratory scale the conditions to which these materials are exposed in the environment in order to better understand their behavior and evolution.

* Garbiñe Larrea is a researcher at the Biodiversity and Environment Institute BIOMA. Learn more about her research.