Exploring microplastic pollution
On April 8鈥�9, 2025, our team had the pleasure of organizing and participating in a hands-on student workshop on microplastics, hosted at the Espeland Marine Biological Station. Nestled by the coast just a short trip from Bergen, this site provided a perfect setting for students from the BIO316 course to immerse themselves in a critical issue facing our oceans: microplastic pollution.
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The workshop, organized by , , and , brought together students and researchers in an engaging mix of lectures, collaborative group activities, and fieldwork. Over two days, participants dived into the complex world of plastic pollution, from the chemical composition of polymers to their ecological and toxicological effects on marine life.
Day 1: Diving into the microplastics
Students kicked off the day with coffee and introductions before heading into the first lecture: 鈥淢icroplastics as a complex global pollutant鈥�, delivered by Farhan Khan (NORCE). This session provided a comprehensive overview of microplastics, with a special focus on tire-derived particles, a lesser-known but increasingly significant subset of plastic pollution.
Following a lively discussion, the group ventured out on an excursion to the local beaches. Despite the beautiful surroundings, the reality of plastic debris鈥攂oth visible and microscopic鈥攚as sobering. Students examined pebbled shores for signs of macro- and microplastic contamination, connecting classroom theory to real-world environmental impact.
The day continued with a lecture by Odd Andr茅 Karlsen on the role of additives and plasticizers in plastic toxicity. These chemicals, while invisible, can leach from plastic products and interact with biological systems, often in ways we鈥檙e only beginning to understand.
The afternoon concluded with group discussions based on scientific papers assigned beforehand. Students worked in small teams to analyze two papers each, debating their findings, endpoints, and implications for future research.
Day 2: From Ideas to Impact 鈥� Student Posters and Presentations
The morning was dedicated to poster development, led by Anders Goks酶yr. Building on insights from the previous day's discussions, student groups identified the key messages they wanted to communicate and developed short. Students began outlining their poster concepts, both digitally and on flip-over paper. This exercise emphasized not only scientific understanding but also the importance of science communication and how to convey complex topics to diverse audiences in a clear way.
As we wrapped up at Espeland, it was clear that microplastic pollution is more than just a scientific problem, it鈥檚 a societal one. We鈥檙e grateful to all the students for their energy, insight, and curiosity, and to the dedicated faculty and staff who made this event possible.
