Improving microplastics source apportionment: a role for microplastic morphology and taxonomy?

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Abstract

Microplastics have emerged as a highprole contaminant issue due to their widespread occurrence in aquatic environments. Environmental conservation agencies are gaining a better understanding of the issue and are beginning to implement strategies to reduce microplastic contamination. As a scientist with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in Toronto, Canada tasked with improving our knowledge of the microplastics issue with respect to their sources into and impacts upon the Laurentian Great Lakes, I've had the opportunity to interact with policy staff, environmental compliance staff, stakeholders and members of the public. These interactions have helped dene the information needs from our microplastic monitoring and research activities to best inform policy development and management activities. These informational needs should be considered as we work together to rene the approaches and protocols employed to conduct assessments of the occurrence and impacts of microplastics. It has become clear that more detailed source apportionment information is needed to provide direction to resource managers