Data on the effects of different shapes of microplastics on biota are currently scarce. In my research I will focus on the particle shape found in aquatic environments. Further, the shape of microplastics may interfere with uptake and gut retention time which in turn may alter their toxicity. I will expose freshwater key species to different shapes of microplastics from selected polymers to determine uptake, gut retention time and their toxicity. In addition I will test the effects of different surface properties of biodegradable microplastics to investigate how degradation affects toxicity.

Background

I received my master’s degree from the University of Leiden, Netherlands. During my study I mainly focused on aquatic ecotoxicology and marine ecology.

Master thesis 1: Stress-on-stress testing of microplastics on populations of Daphnia magna. Publication: Significant decline of Daphnia magna population biomass due to microplastic exposure

Master thesis 2: The impact of the aggressive tunicate Trididemnum solidum on the coral reefs of Curaçao.
Publication as a result of this work: Extension of the Recorded Host Range of Caribbean Christmas Tree Worms (Spirobranchus spp.) with Two Scleractinians, a Zoantharian, and an Ascidian

Bachelor thesis: Description of a new deep-sea shrimp and new records for several other shrimp species.
Publication: On a collection of deep-water shrimp (Crustacea, Decapoda) from the Dutch Caribbean, with the description of a new species of Pseudocoutierea.