The Current State of Plastic Pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Session: Poster Session

Arielle Earn, University of Toronto, [email protected]
Chelsea Rochman, University of Toronto, [email protected]

Abstract

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in freshwater systems worldwide and the Laurentian Great Lakes are no exception.  More than 30 million people across North America depend on the Great Lakes for access to drinking water and food production, as do thousands of wildlife species. Knowledge about plastic pollution in the Great Lakes will be paramount for protecting these habitats and to ensure the health of these important ecosystems. We are currently conducting a systematic review to synthesize the current state of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. We will review what we know about sources, contamination, fate and effects of plastics in the Great Lakes. Our work will include information on the emerging field of microplastic pollution and the impact of microplastics in these large freshwater ecosystems. In addition, we will discuss how the state of the science can inform management strategies relevant to plastic pollution in the Great Lakes, identify the gaps in scientific knowledge that need to be addressed, and suggest some practical solutions that could be implemented to mitigate plastic pollution and ultimately maintain the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes.