How Microplastic Pollution Is Being Tested in Whole-Lake Ecosystems
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“Understanding how microplastics impact these systems is integral to preserving biodiversity and the natural environment.”
— Desiree Langenfeld, Plastics Science and Policy Biologist, IISD Experimental Lakes Area
Microplastics in the Wild: Science with Real-World Impact
At Canada’s IISD Experimental Lakes Area in Ontario, biologist Desiree Langenfeld is part of a groundbreaking research effort exploring how microplastics affect freshwater ecosystems. This multi-year study is the first of its kind to introduce microplastics into whole-lake environments in a controlled way. The research offers a unique opportunity to observe the true ecological impact of plastics on a real ecosystem outside the lab.
This film takes us inside cutting edge science examining the impact of microplastic pollution. It’s a story about the role science can play in shaping environmental legislation, and how the work can be done responsibly and with respect for First Nations communities. By combining real-world ecosystems with rigorous experimentation, these scientists are generating real world results to inform policy.
About IISD
IISD Experimental Lakes Area is the world’s freshwater laboratory—the only place in the world where scientists can manipulate real lakes to understand what human activity does to freshwater.
