Of plastics and plastic responses: the transgenerational implications of microplastic toxicity

About the Project

Plastic pollution is one of the most widespread and enduring human alterations to all environmental niches across our planet’s surface. The potential for microplastics to negatively impact ecosystems and human health is catastrophic, and rivals that of other global threats, including climate change and ozone depletion. An estimated 12 billion metric tonnes of plastic waste will end up in the natural environment by 2050. As more plastic degrades and enters terrestrial ecosystems, the rate of microplastic consumption – for wildlife and humans alike – is set to rise. It is not a question of whether this new age toxicity threat will affect biota, but rather how it will affect biota.

Microplastics, with their large surface area, hydrophobic properties, and ability to cross biological membranes, are hazardous to animals. As damaging as the microplastics themselves are their chemical additives. One such group of toxicants, defined as “endocrine disruptor chemicals” (EDCs), are known to induce a range of reproductive and developmental abnormalities by mimicking, blocking, or interfering with hormones and their receptors. We know that EDCs can impair fertility and reproductive outcomes in the exposed generation. For example, microplastics contaminated with phthalate esters – a plastic additive that increases flexibility and longevity, and a known EDC – bioaccumulate in the testes, which reduces sperm density and alters sperm physiology. We have also recently learnt that microplastic toxicity can extend intergenerationally via maternal pathways during gestation and lactation. However, we do not yet know how paternal exposure influences offspring reproductive fitness. Moreover, we do not yet know if the negative impacts of microplastic toxicity can be cleared between generations. The investigations in this PhD will address these research gaps, and there is opportunity for investigations to be taxonomically broad.

To apply for this position, please email Renee Firman (renne.firman@uwa.edu.au) the following:

1. your CV (detailing experience that may be relevant to the project)
2. your full academic record
3. a brief letter stating your interest in the PhD project.

Please note that admission to UWA's PhD programme with a scholarship (this project) requires that you have achieved a minimum 80% for your MSc/Hons. This is a hard rule; we will only consider applicants that meet this criterion (i.e., evidenced in your academic record).