In this lecture we will ask, are British Columbian Blue Mussels Accumulating Microplastics and does it matter?

Designed to be durable and long-lasting, every plastic product ever produced will outlive each animal and person alive today. Because plastic debris isn't biodegradable, it breaks into smaller and smaller pieces when it ends up on land or in the ocean. This results in microplastic pollution, which could affect all animals that live in our oceans.

Ocean Wise Researcher, Julie Dimitrijevic is studying microplastics in blue mussels within the Strait of Georgia. She wants to better understand how these small plastic pieces are interacting with this important coastal species.

She is carrying out experiments by caging mussels, which allow her to control what they eat. By doing this, she will work out how much microplastic accumulates in the bodies of blue mussels and how this microplastic could affect their health. Determining potential impacts is an important first step in the global effort to understand this emerging threat to our ecosystems.

When: Tuesday 24th April 2018 | 7.00 pm (doors open at 6.30pm)

Ticket Price: Free, but register to guarantee a seat at bit.do/omapril

Where: The Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, V6G 3E2

Web: bit.do/omapril