Investigating Plastic Pollution: An Interview with Dr. Imogen Napper
BY MARGAUX MONFARED
Plastic derived from the Greek plastikos meaning ‘capable of being shaped or moulded’, is a long lasting, cheap and strong product that can be found everywhere. The miracle material with its ideal properties for manufacturing is at the heart of a global epidemic. The properties that once made plastic an ideal product also make it a gravely problematic one, a result of our throwaway culture. To date, over 300 million tons of plastic is produced each year, of which 8 million tons finds it’s way into our oceans yearly. Obvious items that you may find include, bottles, food containers and straws. As we all know plastic does not disappear, it breaks down into additionally small particles known as micro plastics. So how does plastic actually affect our oceans and its inhabitants?
Meet Dr Imogen Napper, a marine scientist at the forefront of the plastic pollution epidemic. Her research focuses on the sources of plastic pollution going into the ocean and understanding how to best focus solutions to stop it. Since completing her PhD in 2019, she has become a National Geographic Explorer and Sky Ocean Rescue Scholar.
Dr Napper is currently working as an Expedition Scientist with National Geographic on the ‘Sea to Source’ expedition looking at plastic in the Ganges River. More specifically she is working on gathering a 3D picture of where micro plastic goes in a major river system.
You’ve built your life around the ocean. What drew you to it in the first place?
My earliest memory of thinking about marine litter was actually when I was in primary school. There was a charity balloon release where parents and friends could sponsor a balloon; the winning balloon was the one that travelled the furthest! I went to quite a small school, only 60 children in total and so there were 60 balloons to sponsor. Each balloon had information about our school and we asked anyone who found one to return it back stating where it was found.
I remember watching all the balloons float off into the distance and then 2 weeks later we went into my village hall to hear the results. Out of 60 balloons, only 5 got returned and 1 even made its way to France. I remember thinking what happened to the other 55 balloons, especially if they dropped into the sea!
Your research focuses on plastic pollution; could you describe what products you find them in?
Someone described me once as a plastic detective, which hits the nail on the head for my research!
My first research project looked at plastic microbeads in facial scrubs. We found that over 3 million could be in 1 bottle – over 10,000 for a squirt on your hand. These get washed down the drain and then potentially into the ocean. The best feeling was that this research influenced international legislation making microbeads banned in many countries; including the U.K. and U.S.A.
Examples of products that contain microbeads.
I have also completed some research looking at how much we are potentially polluting the ocean from washing our clothes. Most of our clothes are made out of plastic, so when we wash them tiny microfibers come off and go into the wastewater. Our research found that 700,000 microfibers could come off our clothes in a typical clothes wash. We have just completed some research looking at the success of different inventions, which aim to capture the microfibers in the washing cycle, so watch this space for the results!
What kinds of plastics do you find and what are the solutions?
All sorts!
When I think of plastic I automatically think of a plastic bag or a water bottle, but for me the small bits (microplastics) are the most problematic. A plastic bag could break down into thousands of tiny bits, and how do we effectively remove that from the ocean?
What we all need to do is ‘Think Ocean’ with every action. How is what I am about to do potentially going to impact the ocean? There are so many small steps we can do to be more environmental, such as buying second-hand clothes and minimising how much single use plastic we take. All little steps help. It begins with industry giving us affordable choices, government enforcing legislation and us (the public) being more environmentally conscious!
How do you think plastic is affecting the marine environment?
So much plastic is entering the environment every day. It is predicted to be a rubbish truck every minute!
What concerns me the most is that plastic is still quite a new material. It was only invented 100 years ago. Can you even imagine what it could be like in another 100 years? We are at such an important moment in time where we can make a difference.
Can you explain how you collect and analyse your data?
Focussing on the ‘Sea to Source’ expedition it is split between fieldwork and lab analysis. During fieldwork we collect a lot of environmental samples such as water or mud. This helps us to understand where microplastic is going; is it sinking or travelling down river? We then collect other bits of data to complete the story such as water depth, temperature and river width. All the samples are brought back to the lab. We have a microplastic clean lab, which basically means no plastic is allowed inside. We wear all-natural clothing and the lab has a positive pressure system to keep small plastic pieces (i.e. fibres in dust) out.
We spend a long time in the lab extracting potential microplastics from samples under the microscope and confirming if they are plastic with an instrument called an FTIR. Sometimes you are looking down the microscope for hours looking for little fibres or fragments. All of this information helps us build up a picture about the journey of plastic pollution.
How do you hope your voice and work will influence others to reduce their plastic use?
I really hope to show people that even making small changes in your life can have such a positive difference to the environment. For example, only washing your clothes when you need to could stop over 700,000 fibres going into the environment.
Fixing plastic pollution is like a HUGE jigsaw puzzle. It is going to take a lonnng time and it will be difficult. However, each one of us is a puzzle piece. We all have different skills and experiences. We just need to put them all together!
Who or what do you draw your inspiration from?
Being able to make a difference, no matter how small, is such a rewarding feeling. Doing research and knowing you have potentially answered a question that no one knew the answer to before is really exciting. Knowing that the answer could potentially have a positive impact is then the icing on the cake.
Whose work has influenced and inspired you?
Probably such a cliché answer, but David Attenborough has always been a legend! Watching his documentaries when I was younger and listening to him talk with such passion really brings the environment and nature to life. I was incredibly lucky to meet him a couple of years ago and he is exactly like you would hope he would be!
What is one thing you wish someone had told you/taught you a long time ago?
The two best bits of advice I have ever had:
1) Always follow your passions and fight to make a difference
2) Remind yourself of the environment by just taking a walk outside
What has your experience as a woman in ocean science been like?
I feel incredible lucky to work with incredible scientists and colleagues from all walks of life. Over the last couple of years, I have worked alongside some really talented friends who have really helped push research forward. Each have their own strengths, such as data analysis or engineering, so it has really taught me to use people’s strengths.
Where do you go from here?
Who knows! I’m not entirely sure myself right now. I’ve got a few exciting research ideas in the pipeline, so fingers crossed!