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GEOG 3210 - Government Briefing Note Project

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Government briefing note project for GEOG 3210 - Indigenous Settler Governance, taught at the University of Guelph. All typed.

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  • December 19, 2022
  • 7
  • 2022/2023
  • Essay
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The Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Ecosystems and Measures to be Taken to Protect

Ecological and Human Health

Cassidy Jackson (1083279)

University of Guelph

GEOG 3210: Indigenous-Settler Relationships in Environmental Governance

Dr. Faisal Moola

November 11, 2022

, Executive summary

Global plastic production stands at around 245 million tonnes per year with

approximately 75-80 million tonnes entering global oceans (Andrady, 2011). Microplastics are

typically formed either through the weathering of plastic or intentionally designed to be less than

five millimeters. Each microplastic has unique characteristics that allow them to adsorb

pollutants, heavy metals, and pathogens, which can then be taken up by biological organisms.

These pollutants may bioaccumulate through the food chain and upon consumption, result in

adverse effects on human health. Much of the research conducted suggests there is much to

discover about microplastics and their interactions with the natural environment. This brief

proposes three policy solutions that could be implemented in Canada to reduce the release of

microplastics into aquatic ecosystems and subsequent harm to biological organisms.

What are microplastics and why are they important?

Microplastics, despite being five millimeters in size, have been shown to pose adverse

ecological and human health effects when improperly managed. Demonstrated when consumed

by biological organisms, these pollutants enter the bloodstream and cause severe physiological

damage. Due to microplastics' capability to transport persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy

metals, and pathogens, these pollutants may bioaccumulate up the food chain to then affect

humans who consume contaminated aquatic species. Today’s plastic production exceeds that of

carbon emissions, and due to their non-degradable nature, these plastics persist for decades to

centuries (Hale et al., 2020). Microplastic contamination in today’s environment is largely due to

the improper management of landfills, wastewater, surface runoff, and trash released into

waterways (Andrady, 2011).

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