Itzel Villagómez
Other projects
26 Mar 2021
Assessment of Microplastic-Bound Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Whale Shark Aggregations in Bahía de los Angeles
There is currently limited knowledge of the uptake and biomagnification of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in marine filter organisms. Further investigation of bioindicator species such as Rhincodon typus is therefore essential. This shark is a filter organism sensitive to the uptake of POPs through food or environmental water, microplastics, etc.
Whale shark.
This project aims to:
a) To evaluate the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in whale shark skin biopsy, zooplankton and phytoplankton.
b) Searching for microplastics in the whale shark refuge area.
c) Organize educational activities to increase awareness of the results achieved, the importance of conserving whale sharks and preventing marine pollution through beach clean-ups. As well as the provision of workshops in schools for the composting of domestic organic waste. Establish a record of the type of waste found in the home and in the facilities where it is available. In addition to conducting research on community knowledge of sources of pollution.