Plastic in the food chain, from plankton to humans
Off the coast of Marseille, Mélanie Ourgaud (CEM) is taking samples of plastic mixed with plankton in order to study its impact on the food chain, in fish, but also in humans. Brut followed her.
Biomagnification to observe the concentrations of micro-plastics
Mélanie Ourgaud is a scientist at the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology in Marseille. She studies the impact of micro-plastic on the food chain. The objective of this study is to understand the increase in concentrations along the food chain. This is called biomagnification.
A real danger for humans
These micro-plastics often contain endocrine disruptors, as well as substances that will weaken the immune system. Additives, as well as plastic, can pass through the food chain.