Forums
Summer Ice Free Conditions

Aloha Mr. McKay and Dr. Ray!

I have been watching your blog, anticipating the start of your mission. How wonderful that BEST compares data from the Bering Sea Ecosystem at different times of the year. I will be following and learning right along with you that's for sure.

One thing that my students and I are studying is the presence of micro-particles of plastic. We know plastic never goes away, but breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, until it appears gone, but really isn't. If phytoplankton become attached to these pieces of microplastic they won't sink, right? Won't that disrupt the natural cycling of nutrients in the Bering Sea and other areas of the oceans?

As always we are wondering about the kinds of phytoplankton you are seeing in your microscopes. We hope your journey is productive and has lots of calm seas!

warmly, Maggie

Mon, 06/15/2009 - 12:48

Mark McKay

Hello Maggie
 
Good to hear from you. Dr. Ray says hello. We will be sending you some micrographs of the plankton we collect as soon as we get started on that part of the project. As for your question about plastics qnd their effect on phytoplankton, Dr. Ray beleives that microparticles of plastic will act as a surface for bacteria more then anything else. As these pieces get smaller and smaller, the surface area will increase allowing organisms to attach themselves. It should not have much effect on the phytoplankton, even though some will attach. However, as bacteria attach themselves to these microparticles, they become larger and are then more attractive to fish and other wildlife which may injest them. Which of couse is a major problem.
We hope that helps. Please continue to follow us and please send more questions.
 
Thanks again
 
Mark and Dr. Ray