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Faculty Advisor

Dr. Alain Duran

Author Biographical Statement

Estefany D. Carvajal graduated Florida international University with a degree in Marine Biology. While an undergraduate student she focused on how to improve environmental quality and decrease pollution. Estefany has worked under the guidance of Dr. Alain Duran to highlight the importance of effectively protecting marine reserves from microplastics. She was the science and research director of Green Campus Initiative and an active board member of Surfrider FIU. She hopes to attend medical school and continue to research microplastics, focusing on their effects on human health.


Fall 2023 Outstanding Graduate in Marine Biology, Amanda Di Perna is determined to drive positive environmental change through research and advocacy. She has volunteered for the Ocean Research and Conservation Association and for Coastal Connections, has acted as Outreach Director and President for FIU’s Surfrider Foundation Club, and President of the FIU Honors College’s Green Campus Initiative. In 2022, Amanda was selected to serve as a Chef Andrew Scholar for Debris Free Oceans educating students across Miami-Dade and Broward counties on plastic pollution and advocating for sustainability at major events including the Ultra Music Festival. Amanda will continue to explore roles that align with her passion for sustainability, ocean conservation and public engagement. She is determined to bridge the gap between science, policy, and communication.

Abstract

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) function as a tool for the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems. These designated areas should be free of any environmentally harmful pollutants. Microplastics (MPs) are plastic fragments measuring less than 5 mm (about 0.2 in). These fragments are an emerging threat to our oceans, and we are investigating the effectiveness of MPAs against these pollutants. We analyzed data gathered from research conducted on microplastic concentrations in MPAs and non-MPAs around the world. 53 MPAs and 53 non-MPAs around the world were used and the microplastic concentrations were deemed low, medium, or high by using the classifications established by the researchers. The Marine Protection Atlas (MPATLAS), created by the Marine Conservation Institute, was used to identify the levels of protection of each MPA and confirm the size of the protected area. The population density of cities nearest to an MPA or non-MPA was obtained by dividing the city’s population by the total area. Microplastics were found in all 106 sites researched, including waters near Antarctica and the northern waters of Greenland. When compared to non-MPAs, MPAs showed a higher number of areas with a “high” or “medium” concentration of microplastics. This indicates that Marine Protected Areas are an inefficient conservation tool against microplastic pollution. Population density did not appear to have a relationship with microplastic concentrations in MPAs and non-MPAs. The prominence of microplastics in protected marine ecosystems highlights the urgency to uncover their effects and a way to combat these anthropogenic pollutants.

DOI

10.25148/URJ.020101

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