Emerging contaminants
Pollution and contaminants remain high on the list of concerns
about the marine environment. Whilst traditional contaminants, such
as oil and carcinogens, continue to be a focus, attention is
shifting to emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, personal
care products, endocrine disrupters and nanoparticles. These
compounds are becoming widely used and often pass through water
treatment works unaltered, reaching the marine environment via
estuaries. Many of these chemicals can have a detrimental effect
upon marine organisms and therefore, it is important to assess the
lifecycle and toxicity of these novel and increasingly widespread
compounds.
Nanoparticles, which are smaller than 100nm, are an important
emerging contaminant to investigate due to the increase in usage
and the uncertainties surrounding their behaviour, lifespan and
effects.
PML has developed a variety of analytical techniques for
identifying a broad range of contaminants, their fate, overall
effects on organisms and ecosystems and potential impacts upon
human health.
Projects
- Nanoparticles
PML
scientists are studying nanoparticles in laboratory based
experiments to test the hypothesis that nanoparticles with
antibacterial properties could, upon release to the environment,
induce shifts in the genetic composition of the natural
bacterial communities in the sediment and overlying water in
coastal environments.