In order to verify the presence and chemical composition Microplastics It is present in the water column in Gerlach Fjord In the Antarctica Peninsulaa connection point Biodiversity and the world’s main freshwater reserve, the Presidency of the Republic and the Colombian Ocean Commission have approved an expedition that will take place between December 2023 and January 2024.
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The project seeks to understand and find solutions to microplastic pollution, which has become a pressing challenge around the world due to its impact on marine ecosystems and the food chain.
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An interdisciplinary group consisting of professionals from different universities and entities, incl Jorge Tadeo Lozano University, University of Antioquia, Cornell University, Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (INVIMAR), along with other institutions; Their role will not only provide human resources, but will also provide the scientific equipment necessary to conduct the research.
For the third time, the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University participates in this project. Microplastics exist, explains Andres Franco Herrera, professor of biological and environmental sciences at this institution Small plastic particles That comes from various sources, including consumer products and industrial waste, which can accumulate in… Marine organisms Because of its negative effects on their health and human health.
It can cause diseases such as cancer,and on very large time scales, generate even Genetic disorders. “Understanding this will help us provide a report that allows us to mitigate these effects,” the researcher says.
The preliminary results of the study are expected to be released in the middle of next year. The information collected will be presented in scientific publications and shared with local and international organizations responsible for environmental conservation and responsible management The white continent.
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Currently, the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University, with its headquarters in Santa Martais implementing a four-year program on research on microplastic pollution in water, sediments and species consumed by humans, with contributions from Exact sciences.
“At Utadeo, we reaffirm our commitment to scientific research and environmental conservation by participating in this large-scale expedition. The contribution of the Foundation and its team of researchers reinforces the importance of confronting global environmental challenges and working towards a more sustainable future,” Andres Franco noted.
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