Plastic pollution and solutions

While plastic pollution is now a well-recognised threat to marine systems, much less is known about its impact on freshwater. A situation Kevin and Gavin are working to remedy.

Recent surveys of streams have found an abundance of microplastic pollution alongside bacteria capable of digesting certain kinds of plastics and their associated chemicals.

Using the inner Hauraki Gulf as a model system, Kevin and Gavin are looking for ways to track the movement of plastic and the microbes associated it they travel into the ocean.

As part of this, PhD student Victor Gambarini is analysing global DNA datasets to evaluate the presence and abundance of possible plastic degrading microorganisms. The datasets have already revealed several groups of bacteria with the ability to degrade multiple types of plastic.

Working in partnership with a science team based at ESR, Canterbury, Victor has been able to identify potential novel plastic degrading microorganisms and enzymes in the New Zealand landscape.

PhD student Nadia Dikareva is also involved in the project. Her research aims to measure the amounts and types of plastic moving through streams to the inner Hauraki Gulf.

The team hope to determine the potential use of microbes in improving plastic degradation in the environment.

“Our goal is to identify sources and pathways of plastic pollution and to develop novel microbiological techniques to reduce microplastic pollution in our waterways and maximise the degradation of plastics in our natural environments,” they say.