27th October 2016

Dr Andrea Gaion, Marine Science Lecturer, is currently working in collaboration with three students from the South Devon College University Centre on a specialised research project examining the accumulation of microplastics in herrings from the North Sea.

Herrings have been chosen because of their crucial role in the marine food chain: they feed on plankton (microscopic organisms drifting in the oceans) and they represent a prey for many marine mammals, fishes and birds. As a consequence, their contribution in transferring microplastic to top predators is significant and has to be assessed.

 

Andrea is very enthusiastic about this project, he said: “At the beginning it was difficult to find the right protocol and adapting it to our needs, but the students have helped a lot and it seems they are enjoying the experience. They are very supportive, and thanks to their help I am confident we can achieve a great result.”

 

This will be the first occasion that students from the College have contributed as research assistants to an academic paper of this kind. The students investigating for the project are studying the Foundation Degree in Marine Science programme and the Foundation Degree in Biosciences programme.

 

Both courses focus on developing practical skills, field trips and laboratory work to inspire active scholarly research.

 

Details of the project will be published in full on completion of data collection.

 

For more information on our Marine Science courses, please contact our Helpzone team on 08000 380123 or visit sdcdev/courses/university/marine-science

 

Alternatively, come along to our next Open Evening on the 16th November at our Vantage Point Campus, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ 5pm-8pm.